Labour Party rejects Martin criticism on debate

The Labour Party is this evening dismissing remarks by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin that Eamon Gilmore refused to paricipate in tomorrow night's TV3 debate on the EU Fiscal Treaty.

Labour said that the party leader is unavailable tomorrow night, but has agreed to parcticipate in the future debates on TV3.

The debate will feature Fine Gael's Simon Coveney and Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin pushing for a Yes vote.

Socialist TD Joe Higgins and a Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald will be calling for a No vote.

Deputy Martin had said: "It is my strongly held view that the leaders of political parties have to take responsibility for their policy platform and be prepared to debate those positions robustly.

"This TV3 event is the first cross party TV debate of its kind on the treaty and represents an important opportunity to engage with the large number of undecided voters.

"I'm hopeful that those who are joining me in the debate will engage in a robust, respectful and informative debate about the important choice our country faces."