Noonan wants referendum debate with Ahern

The Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan is challenging Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to a head to head television debate on the abortion referendum.

The call came during Deputy Noonan’s presidential address to the Fine Gael Ard Fheis.

The party has lashed out at the Government’s handling of the forthcoming referendum saying its timing is an ‘election ploy’.

In what was billed as the most important speech of his political career, Deputy Noonan accused Fianna Fail of squandering the economic boom.

He again apologised for his handling of the case of the late Brigid McCole when he was Minister for Health.