RTÉ:RTÉ will host a live head-to-head election debate between the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, a week before polling on May 17th, a Thursday, it was confirmed last night.
The debate, which will be held during a special Primetimeprogramme to be chaired by Miriam O'Callaghan, will be broadcast immediately after the 9 o'clock news and will last just over an hour.
In a letter to RTÉ this week, Fianna Fail expressed reservations about the date of the televised debate, saying its preference was to have it in the last week of the campaign, when the parties would have laid out their policies and when debate on the issues would have evolved.
Fine Gael said it was always the party's preference to have the debate a week before polling and a spokesman said it was ready for the 17th.
An spokeswoman said they were informed yesterday evening that the Taoiseach is agreeable to May 17th for the debate. Details of the format of the head-to-head encounter have yet to be confirmed.
RTÉ is also planning a debate between PD leader Michael McDowell, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams on May 16th, a Wednesday, to be chaired by Mark Little of Primetime. Labour has declined an offer to send a representative to participate in the televised debate. Mr Sargent and Mr Adams have agreed to participate, and RTÉ is awaiting a response from the Tánaiste, Mr McDowell.