RTÉ is proposing a radical change in format for party leaders' debates during the general election campaign.
The station wants to host a six-way debate between the leaders of the main parties, as well as two separate head-to-heads between prospective candidates for the offices of taoiseach and tánaiste.
In a letter to the parties this week, RTÉ proposed that the six-way leaders' debate would be at the beginning of the election campaign in the style of Questions and Answers in front of a live studio audience.
Furthermore, the authority is proposing two separate debates later in the campaign, one between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the alternative taoiseach, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, and the other between Tánaiste Michael McDowell and the alternative tánaiste, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte.
Fine Gael last night welcomed the proposals in principle but said it wants two additional debates between Enda Kenny and Bertie Ahern, one on crime and the other on health.
David Nally, editor of current affairs in RTÉ, confirmed to The Irish Times that a radically different format is being proposed by the authority to cover the leaders' debate this year.
During the last election campaign there was just one debate between the Taoiseach and the Fine Gael leader, a few days before polling.
Mr Nally said the format put forward is what RTÉ thinks is the best option. He said he was waiting for the parties to respond with their views.
He said the initial six-way debate between Mr Ahern, Mr Kenny, Mr McDowell, Mr Rabbitte, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams will be along the lines of Questions and Answers in front of a live studio audience at the start of the election campaign.
Mr Nally said the exact format of this debate has yet to be worked out.
Last night a spokeswoman for Fianna Fáil would not comment other than to say the party had received the letter and would be responding in due course.
A Fine Gael spokesman said the party believed the election campaign could benefit from a series of policy-themed debates between the two alternative taoisigh, and that crime and health are deserving of their own stand-alone debates. Such debates would provide the electorate with a vital insight and important information on where both parties stand on these crucial issues in the run-up to the general election, the party said in its response to RTÉ.
Fine Gael is seeking clarification on the first six-way debate and in particular is asking if it is the intention to divide the party leaders into separate "pairs". It says a live studio format with "pairings" would be acceptable but a six-way debate would be unworkable.
The party also welcomes the proposal to have the final debate earlier in the campaign than the last time, and suggests it ought to take place at least seven days before polling day.
A Labour Party spokesman confirmed receipt of the letter but refused to comment further and said the party would be letting its response be known in due course.
A Green Party spokesman said it welcomed the six-way debate, but the party is seeking clarification on the make-up of the studio audience.
A spokesperson for Sinn Féin could not be contacted last night.