Alex Salmond has invited David Cameron and Nick Clegg to visit Scotland to discuss the UK government's proposal to accelerate the timetable for a referendum on Scottish independence.
The Scottish first minister, who is meeting Clegg in Dublin at a meeting of the British-Irish Council, said he wanted the talks to take place in a consensual manner.
But Salmond launched a strong attack on the UK government for what he described as bullying tactics as he appeared to draw a parallel between London's treatment of Scotland and its historic behaviour towards Ireland.
"I am sure many people in Ireland will remember that sometimes people who are in leadership positions in big countries find it very difficult not to bully small countries," Salmond told RTE on Friday morning. "What we have seen over the last week is a most extraordinary attempt to bully and intimidate Scotland by Westminster politicians.
"Sometimes Westminster politicians, and Nick Clegg is very much a Westminster politician, find it difficult to let go the strings of power and believe they are still in a position of dictating terms to Scotland. I'm afraid Nick Clegg and his colleagues David Cameron and George Osborne, who is very much in charge of this, are going to find out these days are over."
Salmond was speaking shortly before the start of the British-Irish Council which is taking place at Dublin Castle, the seat of British rule in Ireland until the 26 counties of the Irish Republic achieved independence in 1922. The castle is a mile from the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, the scene of the Easter Rising against British rule in 1916. It was Britain's violent response to the rising – the leaders were executed by firing squad – that helped trigger the Irish war of independence.
Salmond's decision to draw a parallel between Scotland and Ireland, however obliquely, may stir a debate in Scotland, where sectarian divisions are still pronounced.
The first minister was warmly greeted by Martin McGuinness, Sinn Féin's deputy first minister, when he arrived at Dublin Castle.
The announcement by Cameron that London is to seek to bring forward a referendum on Scottish independence overshadowed the British-Irish Council. It is the body established under the Good Friday agreement to promote dialogue between Britain, Ireland and the crown dependencies of the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.
Salmond was dismissive of the comments on Thursday by Osborne, who appeared to question whether an independent Scotland could keep the pound. Pointing out that Australia initially used the pound after independence, he said: "George Osborne has been chancellor for, what, 18, 20 months or so. But he seems to think he owns sterling. The Bank of England was founded by a Scot. There were Scottish bank notes before the Bank of England was founded, before the union of the parliaments."
The UK government was dismissive of Salmond's invitation to Cameron and Clegg. Sources said that Salmond had declined to respond to an invitation from Michael Moore, the Scotland secretary, for talks.