22/02/2011

Leader's Set For Last TV Election Debate

The Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour leaders will battle it out for the last time before the election on Tuesday night.

The three leaders have each claimed victory at the previous debates, as they try to win over voters ahead of the Friday's General Election.

Enda Kenny, Eamon Gilmore and Micheal Martin will all leave the campaign trail early today to prepare for the final TV debate, which takes place on RTÉ, Tuesday night, from 9.40pm to 11.10pm.

Tonight's debate is planned to focus on the economy, and is being seen as a pivotal night for Fine Gael, who could make a significant difference to the make up of the Dáil with a positive showing tonight.

Current estimates suggest the party may not be far from achieving an outright majority in the Dáil, but have some work to do to avoid the expected coalition with the Labour Party.

Under the proposed format for Tuesday night, each party leader will be allowed make a pitch to the viewers before taking questions.

Unlike the 5-way clash last week there will be no studio audience driving the while Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams and The Green Party's John Gormley will not be in attendance.

To make up for their absence, the Greens are holding an online question and answer session from 11am to 8pm, while Sinn Féin will unveil a new billboard campaign attacking what it claims is a consensus for cuts among the three main parties.

(DW)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 June 2013
Labour Party Chairman Resigns
Labour Party Chairman Colm Keaveney has quit from the party. He said that he could no longer carry on with "a political charade".
08 June 2009
Labour Claim Best Local Election Result Ever
The Irish Labour Party have claimed they have had their best local election result ever. Counting is still continuing in the Local Elections but so far Labour have made gains throughout the country. The party's candidates polled 17% nationally, and seeing many first-time candidates taking seats on Ireland's councils.
15 July 2013
Bruton Announces Party's Parliamentary Party Team
Minister Richard Bruton, Fine Gael's Director of Elections for the Seanad Abolition Referendum, has announced the Party's parliamentary party team for the Referendum campaign. Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has been appointed as Fine Gael’s Deputy Director of Elections.
30 November 2016
McDonald Rejects Proposals For 'Excessive' Water Use Charge
Sinn Féin Vice President, Mary Lou McDonald, has rejected proposals by the Expert Commission to charge customers for 'excessive' waste usage. Speaking in the Dáil during Leaders' Questions today, 30 November, Teachta McDonald said imposing a levy would "inevitably lead to the introduction of across the board water charges in the future".
24 April 2024
'Decision Week' For Executive To Agree 2024/25 Budget – UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party has said it is "decision week" for the Executive to agree a new 2024/25 Budget. Party leader and Upper Bann MLA, Doug Beattie, reiterated his warnings of the damage being inflicted to key services the longer the void in this year's Budget continues.