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04/02/2011
TV3 Leader's Debate Planned
Ireland's political leaders have agreed to the first television debate of the election campaign at TV3 next Tuesday, although a question mark still remains over the inclusion of Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
RTÉ will no longer be the platform for the debates as a dispute over their format continues. Fine Gael are insisting on a five-way debate to include Sinn Féin and the Green Party, while Fianna Fáil and Labour favour only the top three parties.
Enda Kenny has declined to enter the live debates unless the party's conditions are met.
RTÉ has warned that any debate without Mr Kenny could breach broadcasting rules on impartiality.
Speaking today, leader of Fianna Fail, Micheál Martin said that since his initial invitation to the debate, Enda Kenny and Fine Gael had used a "constantly changing list of excuses" to avoid agreeing to debate.
"It's time to stop the dodging and agree to face the other leaders in a format where he’ll actually have to answer some questions.
"I can confirm that discussions are in the final stages for the first three way debate which will go ahead in TV3 next week. As far as we are concerned, our leader will be at TV3 next Tuesday where he will debate Eamon Gilmore and Enda Kenny, if he agrees to turn up."
The event will be moderated by Vincent Browne.
Mr Martin said that he also expected other debates to be finalised within the coming days.
A five-way debate involving the top five leaders is provisionally in place for February 18th, the Friday before polling day. This debate is being organised jointly by TV3 and Sky News and will be moderated by Ursula Halligan of TV3 and Adam Boulton of Sky.
(DW)
RTÉ will no longer be the platform for the debates as a dispute over their format continues. Fine Gael are insisting on a five-way debate to include Sinn Féin and the Green Party, while Fianna Fáil and Labour favour only the top three parties.
Enda Kenny has declined to enter the live debates unless the party's conditions are met.
RTÉ has warned that any debate without Mr Kenny could breach broadcasting rules on impartiality.
Speaking today, leader of Fianna Fail, Micheál Martin said that since his initial invitation to the debate, Enda Kenny and Fine Gael had used a "constantly changing list of excuses" to avoid agreeing to debate.
"It's time to stop the dodging and agree to face the other leaders in a format where he’ll actually have to answer some questions.
"I can confirm that discussions are in the final stages for the first three way debate which will go ahead in TV3 next week. As far as we are concerned, our leader will be at TV3 next Tuesday where he will debate Eamon Gilmore and Enda Kenny, if he agrees to turn up."
The event will be moderated by Vincent Browne.
Mr Martin said that he also expected other debates to be finalised within the coming days.
A five-way debate involving the top five leaders is provisionally in place for February 18th, the Friday before polling day. This debate is being organised jointly by TV3 and Sky News and will be moderated by Ursula Halligan of TV3 and Adam Boulton of Sky.
(DW)
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