The Fianna Fáil's leader has compared the Government's approach to a hard border to Fawlty Towers.
Micheál Martin has accused the Government of having a private understanding that a hard border is now more likely if there's a no deal Brexit.
The conversation between Simon Coveney and Shane Ross suggested there will need to be checks on goods coming from the UK if there's no deal - in other words, some kind of border.
However, Leo Varadkar insisted they are not preparing for that possibility.
Speaking in the Dáil, he explained: "We're implementing our no-deal plans - that provides for checks at ports and airports in Dublin and Rosslare.
"We're not planning for checks along the land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland."
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, however, said it sounds like the Government is saying one thing privately and something else to the public.
"It's like the episode from Fawlty Towers. 'Whatever you do, don't mention the war'... but someone forgot to tell Minister Ross."
Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Minister Shane Ross' leaked conversation over potential border checks has legitimatised our concerns over the Government's #Brexit preparedness. The Taoiseach must be fully transparent with the Irish public and the Oireachtas with his plans. pic.twitter.com/9g9wDgnfms
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 16, 2019
It comes ahead of the Westminster vote of no confidence in the British government tonight.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has called for Theresa May to go in the wake of the heavy defeat of her Brexit deal in last night's parliamentary vote.
He's accused Mrs May of having lost control, adding: "The government has lost the ability to govern."
The British government will likely survive the vote, amid support from the DUP and a group of pro-Brexit Conservative MPs.
However, Mrs May and her ministers will have only until Monday to provide a Plan B after the withdrawal deal was voted down last night.
The British prime minister has indicated she'll talk with opposition parties about trying to find a path forward.
Leo Varadkar, meanwhile, said solutions to a problem caused by the British will have to come from the British.
