Kenny ‘too busy’ for TV3 debate

EVASIVE Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has said he is too busy to accept TV3’s compromise for tomorrow night’s televised debate.

He said TV3 had “jumped the gun” by organising the showdown between the three main political party leaders.

He backtracked on his earlier suggestion that his likely non-appearance was due to comments made by the original moderator, Vincent Browne.

“That doesn’t fit into my schedule at all,” he said, “I am not being just pulled into a debate because a television station wants it on this date at this time”.

Mr Kenny was put on the spot following TV3’s offer to replace Mr Browne with the station’s political editor Ursula Halligan.

But the Fine Gael leader said he was busy on Tuesday night, regardless of who chaired the discussion.

“I think I am at a public rally down in, I think, it is Sligo-Leitrim.

“That has been there for quite some time. My schedule has been laid out including the two debates. So that is where I am,” he said.

The event he spoke of is a townhall meeting in the Bush Hotel in Carrick-on- Shannon [Roscommon- South Leitrim], which is on at 8pm tomorrow.

Mr Kenny denied his statement that an empty chair in the TV3 studio would be a symbol for forced emigration, had exploited the emotional hardship of those who have had to leave Ireland for work.

Mr Kenny’s comments came as latest opinion polls suggested Fianna Fáil’s performance at constituency level was far better than its record nationally, polling as high as 26% in some parts.

In Cork South Central Micheál Martin is set to be re-elected and bring in his running mate, Michael McGrath. But poll topper status will be surrendered to Simon Coveney of Fine Gael.

The Mayo survey put Enda Kenny in first place with 27%. Fianna Fáil is struggling on 14%, after entering the election with two seats.

Willie O’Dea’s mammoth haul in 2007 could be repeated but this time by Micheal Noonan, who is the clear leader in Limerick East on 23%.