ECONOMIC ISSUES are set to dominate tonight’s debate between the leaders of Fianna Fáil and Labour, along with the absence of Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny from the programme.
Mr Kenny, who confirmed yesterday he would not be attending TV3’s debate, is due to attend a townhall-style meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon tonight at the time the debate is being broadcast.
Journalist Vincent Browne will moderate the debate between Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore. Tonight’s programme, which starts at 8pm, will feature an hour-long debate between the two leaders followed by analysis. TV3 says the invitation to Mr Kenny remains open but it has not decided whether to leave his seat empty in the event of a no-show.
Mr Kenny, who said last week he would not appear in any debate chaired by Mr Browne over remarks the journalist made about suicide, again defended his decision not to participate yesterday. He said he had decided to do three debates during the campaign, a three-way (on RTÉ), a five-way (on TV3) and one in Irish (on TG4). This was three times more than during the last election campaign.
He claimed voters were more interested in meeting leaders face to face and Fianna Fáil should not be “tied” to television but should be out “looking at the wreckage they’ve left behind them”.
Questioned by reporters in Kilkenny, Mr Kenny insisted again that he had “no problem” with Browne. The Fine Gael leader said he did not plan to watch the television debate. “However, the recorder on the telly at home seems to be working,” he added.
Green Party leader John Gormley wrote yesterday to TV3, offering to stand in as a last-minute replacement for Mr Kenny. He said this election was the most important in a generation and issues needed to be thoroughly debated.
“This election cannot be reduced to a narrow personality contest. We have to examine remedies for our economic crisis and advance plans to restore prosperity and jobs,” Mr Gormley said.
Asked about Mr Gormley’s bid to take his place in the debate, Mr Kenny said the Green Party leader could use all the opportunities he could get. TV3 said the debate was for potential taoisigh and therefore did not apply to Mr Gormley.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams described the controversy over the televising of debates as “a pain in the ass” and said it was “ridiculous” against a backdrop of distress among the electorate.
