Taoiseach 'not going to give SF chance to spread blatant lies'

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he will not "be shoved around" by Sinn Féin.

Mr Kenny has come under fire from Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams for refusing to take part in a TV debate on the EU Treaty referendum.

Instead, Mr Kenny addressed the nation on TV on Sunday night, calling for a 'Yes' vote after Mr Adams used his keynote speech at his party's Ard Fheis to ask people to reject the treaty.

Speaking on his way into this morning's Cabinet meeting, the Taoiseach insisted he made the right decision.

Mr Kenny said: "I am not going to be shoved around by Sinn Féin.

"I am not going to give a platform to somebody who I don't regard as the leader of the Opposition to propogate what are blatant lies and hypocritical assertions."