No room for Mary Lou as Varadkar and Martin set to face off in Virgin Media debate

The Sinn Féin leader will be part of a seven-person debate the following week.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin go head-to-head in a pre-election debate this Wednesday - but there will be no place for Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald on the stage.

Virgin Media announced two debates that will take place on the channel ahead of the February 8 General Election.