Burton: Taoiseach prefers talking to voters face-to-face

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has said that Taoiseach Enda Kenny made the right decision for him by choosing to meet people face-to-face during the EU Treaty campaign.

Mr Kenny has been touring the country calling for a Yes vote in next week's referendum and will address the nation on TV on Sunday night.

However, he has been criticised for not engaging in a leaders' debate on the issue instead.

Minister Burton said that the Taoiseach prefers meeting people in person.

"The Taoiseach has decided to go out and to visit practically every town and community in Ireland and talk to people face-to-face," she said.

"That what he enjoys doing, that's what he's good at, and I think that's the right decision for him."

The Social Protection Minister also hit out at Sinn Féin, saying they are just enjoying a period of being opposed to everything.

Sinn Féin has made a number of gains in recent opinion polls at the expense of Minister Burton's Labour party.

Around 1,500 Sinn Féin delegates are gathering in Killarney for the party's Árd Fheis this weekend.

However Minister Burton said that when it comes to the party's policies, the numbers don't add up.

"They are in the happy position at the moment… of just being able to enjoy a period of being opposed to everything," she said.

"I would be concerned about the very large gap in their funding proposals, of €5bn to €10bn, which I think in the end would have to be met by additional taxes on hard-working families."