Housing, crime and tax were among the issues raised a televised leaders' debate in Galway on Monday night.
Seven party leaders took part at NUI Galway, with the formation of a coalition government discussed at the beginning.
Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil reiterated that they would not enter a coalition with Sinn Féin following the vote next month.
That led to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald hitting out at Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.
"There's something incredibly arrogant, obnoxious even, when the leaders of other parties say to us in Sinn Féin that they believe that we can be disregarded.
Fine Gael leader Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald during a seven way leaders debate at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) | Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images"That we particularly - and more importantly the people that we represent - have no right to expect that their representatives would be around the decision-making table".
But Mr Martin hit back, saying that the country's two biggest parties owe Sinn Féin nothing.
"I would reverse the coin and say that Sinn Féin are being extremely arrogant in saying that we - or Fine Gael - owe them a place in power.
"We don't... we're under no obligation at all to say we must allow Sinn Féin in government".
Newstalk's political correspondent Seán Defoe looks at how the party leaders performed.
"Not really any clear head and shoulders winner of the debate.
Mary Lou McDonald had some strong moments and drew applause when criticising both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for their handling of the economy.
People Before Profit's Richard Boyd Barrett and Labour's Brendan Howlin both put in strong performances and drew applause when talking about a rent freeze and other housing policies.
That is an area Leo Varadkar actually held up well on and he gave a good explanation of his tax cut promises.
Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin will be relatively content without shining and was strongest in exchanges with Mr Varadkar and Ms McDonald.
A seven way debate is always a difficult forum and Eamon Ryan and Roisin Shortall struggled a bit more to make an impression.
No real knockout blow from any of the candidates - but there are two more TV debates left before voters take to the polls on February 8th."
