Fianna Fáil challenges Enda Kenny to take part in debates

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin has called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to take part in a series of one-to-one TV debates with all opposition leaders — claiming he will be “running away” unless he takes up the challenge.

Mr Martin made the challenge as he accused Mr Kenny of deliberately avoiding non-choreographed events due to a series of recent embarrassing blunders and said the only way for the Fine Gael leader to prove otherwise is to agree to the head-on debates over the national airwaves.

Mr Martin said in recent months Mr Kenny has attempted to reduce the opportunities available for politicians and journalists to discuss the issues central to the election in any detail.