Browne: Parties 'kidding themselves over EU/IMF renegotiation'

The leader of Fianna Fáil Micheal Martin has said he is "absolutely amazed" by Enda Kenny's reluctance to take part in a political debate chaired by Vincent Browne.

Fine Gael said Mr Kenny will not be participating in the leaders' debate on TV3 next Tuesday, regardless of who is chairing it.

Deputy Kenny had earlier said he would not participate in any programme with the veteran broadcaster, whom he criticised for a comment made about suicide last year.

Reacting to Fine Gael's stance on the Leaders' debates, Vincent Browne said the General Election campaign is based on "nothing more than delusion".

The TV3 broadcaster said he did not want to be drawn into the story any further.

But he said all the political parties are "kidding themselves if they think they will be able to re-negotiate the IMF/EU bailout deal".

Fine Gael is now proposing other debates, involving three and five leaders.

This would be done on a shared transmission basis between TV3, RTE and any other interested broadcaster.

The party said both proposals must be agreed to by all parties if they are to happen.

But Micheal Martin has told reporters in Cork that he is still planning on turning up on Tuesday at TV3.