Adams accuses Taoiseach of refusing to engage directly on referendum

The Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has accused the Taoiseach of refusing to engage directly with him on the fiscal treaty referendum.

It is after it emerged that Enda Kenny will be given time to address the nation on RTÉ on Sunday, following the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis the previous day.

Earlier, Fine Gael denied a claim that the Taoiseach wouldn't take part in a TV debate because he 'can't hack it'.

Last night broadcaster Vincent Browne insisted the Taoiseach would not appear in any TV debate during the campaign for this reason - and after a third offer from TV3 this evening, it remains unclear whether Mr Kenny will participate in any TV debate before the broadcast moratorium in eight days time.

Fine Gael's Director of Elections Simon Coveney has said it is not because he is not up to it:

"I think Vincent Browne has a record in relation to making inaccurate comments as regards the Taoiseach of this country and I think he should have more respect that that", he said.

"Secondly I would say its not true, in the last general election I think that our Taoiseach featured very successfully in the debates that he was part of so I can assure you he has no problem or difficulty in relation to making his point", he added.