Mr Martin McGuinness today promised to hound Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble over his "pathetic sectarian state" attack on the Republic.
The Sinn Féin Education Minister tried to raise the issue as the Stormont cabinet met for the first time since Mr Trimble's outburst.
Mr McGuinness failed to get it put on the agenda for discussion, but he said: "This is an issue which will have to be resolved and it's an issue we are not prepared to let go".
Earlier this month, Mr Trimble called for a border poll in a bid to call the bluff of those who claim a majority in the North will soon vote for a united Ireland and went on to make a damning assessment of life in the Republic.
Mr McGuinness accused him of adopting a hardline unionist stance in a bid to gain crucial votes when the next Northern Ireland Assembly polls are held next year. "He really should stop trying to out-Paisley in the run up to the next election," he said.
"I want David Trimble to act like a leader," Mr McGuinness said. "I want David Trimble to act like the First Minister and stop interfering in the work of other departments".
PA