Is FF afraid of SF?

I SEE that the Taoiseach has come out in support of Michael McDowell’s attack on Sinn Féin (Irish Examiner, Dec 11).

Fianna Fáil has a cheek to call itself a republican party when, without any evidence, Bertie Ahern supports his Coalition colleague’s outlandish claims.

FF seems to be at the right-wing PDs’ beck and call. Is it afraid of SF’s success in the North and the likelihood of more gains in the South’s local elections?