Ahern and Noonan prepare for live debate

Fianna Fail's Bertie Ahern and Fine Gael's Michael Noonan have said they are looking forward to tonight’s televised debate, the only debate between the two men throughout the entire election campaign.

Mr Ahern said he is not nervous about the showdown, while Mr Noonan admitted being slightly anxious. "I find I’m no good unless I’m nervous," the former Minister said, "because the adrenaline doesn’t flow, so I have that nice sense of anxiety which will sharpen me up going into that debate tonight."