Television debate:RTÉ is to cancel its plan to hold a six-way party leaders' debate before a live studio audience during the election campaign due to the failure of the three biggest parties to agree on its proposed format.
However, a head-to-head debate between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is expected to take place in the final days before polling on May 24th, an RTÉ spokeswoman confirmed last night. It will be chaired by broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan as part of a Prime Time special.
The national broadcaster had proposed a six-way leaders' debate before a live studio audience, plus two further debates - one between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, and the other between PD leader Michael McDowell and Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte.
The proposed debate format with the six party leaders involved Mr Ahern and Mr Kenny making separate statements and then having a head-to-head, Mr Rabbitte and Mr McDowell making statements and then having a four-way debate followed by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and Green Party leader Trevor Sargent making statements and then having a six-way debate.
An RTÉ spokeswoman said Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour were not happy with the proposed six-way debate format. Mr McDowell, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams had agreed.
She said it is still intended to go ahead with a special Questions and Answers programme, chaired by John Bowman, with representatives from each of the six parties before the election. It may well be that Mr McDowell, Mr Sargent and Mr Adams will participate with Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour nominating representatives.
No date has been set for the special Questions and Answers programme but the spokeswoman said it may be on Monday, May 14th as Monday, May 7th is a bank holiday. The proposed debate between Mr McDowell and Mr Rabbitte will not go ahead.
Journalist Matt Cooper, and consumer affairs specialist Eddie Hobbs will host a twice weekly live election series for TV3 called Polls Apart.