The Green Party has lodged a formal complaint with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland over RTÉ’s decision to exclude it from general election leaders’ debates.

Party chief Eamon Ryan said the criteria for inclusion in the debates, based on representation in the outgoing Dáil, is unfair.

"What we are looking for here is some fairness in how RTÉ manage the leaders' debate. We have a unique perspective that deserves to be heard . . . when it comes to debating our economic crisis and issues such as climate change." he said.

Two televised debates have been proposed by the national broadcaster.

One is a four-way discussion involving Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Joan Burton, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams.

The other is a seven-person debate that will also include leader of Renua Lucinda Creighton, as well as representatives from the Social Democrats and Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit .

‘Unfair format’

The national broadcaster says participation should be based on representation in the Dáil, but Mr Ryan argues the format is unfair and will have a negative impact on his party’s electoral prospects.

“Being excluded from the debate would do a real disservice to the massive voluntary effort that is now taking place to bring a green voice back to the Dáil. We are taking our case to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland because they have a statutory duty to ensure that the broadcast treatment of current affairs is fair to all interests.

“We are suggesting a simple remedy whereby RTÉ would apply the exact same weighting they use for overall election coverage, in their selection of participants for one of the leaders debates.”

The Greens lost all six Dáil seats in the 2011 election.

The party says it is one of the few which will be running candidates in almost all 40 constituencies.