Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will engage in their long-awaited head-to-head television debate on RTÉ television tonight. The debate, which will be the centrepiece of a special Prime Timeprogramme to be chaired by Miriam O'Callaghan, will be aired at 9.40pm after the news and a party political broadcast. Stephen Collinsreports.
The format for the 80-minute debate will see each leader make a two-minute address from a podium. They will then take their seats on either side of Ms O'Callaghan.
The format has been agreed in advance and both men will be asked for their views on a range of issues including health, crime, the economy and quality of life.
After some initial disagreement between the parties about the timing of the debate, it was agreed to hold it a week before polling so that voters would have time to assess their respective policies and performances.
Mr Kenny conceded yesterday that he was nervous about the debate and he styled himself as the underdog in the clash.
"I've never participated in one of these before. The Taoiseach has," he said.
The Fine Gael leader described Mr Ahern as the "big guru in Government. He's got all the resources of Government behind him for the last 10 years."
Speaking during a tour of the Roscommon/South Leitrim constituency, Mr Kenny acknowledged that it would be an important debate, and that people would judge for themselves.
He added, however, "I don't know that it's going to be the critical factor in determining the election. Very significant numbers of people have made their minds up now. That trend is emerging from polls over the last number of weeks."
Mr Kenny said that he was "looking forward to the debate and I'm looking forward to competing for that high ball when it drops into RTÉ". Asked what approach he was going to take in the debate, he replied: "I'm just going to be myself."
Television debates have always attracted big audiences but they have not had a decisive impact on recent elections.
John Bruton was widely perceived to have won the debate with Bertie Ahern in 1997 but was narrowly beaten in the election. Five years ago Michael Noonan performed well and was also widely perceived to have won but it did not save Fine Gael from disaster.
Last night the other leaders of four smaller parties in the Dáil took part in a debate. Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, PD leader Michael McDowell, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams participated despite some initial reservations from Labour about being grouped with the smaller Dáil parties.