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TV3 HAS CONFIRMED the line-up for its live televised debate on the Fiscal Compact tomorrow night, the first of the referendum campaign.
The debate, hosted by Vincent Browne, will only feature one party leader – Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin – with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams all declining to participate.
The hour-long debate, airing tomorrow night at 9pm, will see Martin argue for a Yes vote alongside Fine Gael’s director of elections for the campaign, agriculture minister Simon Coveney.
Arguing the case against ratification of the treaty will be Sinn Féin deputy president Mary Lou McDonald and the Socialist Party’s Joe Higgins.
TV3′s Director of News, Andrew Hanlon, confirmed that the leaders of Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Féin had all declined to participate in the debate for various reasons.
“We are happy to host the first national television debate on this highly important and divisive issue which we hope will help our viewers make an informed decision on May 31st,” he said.
The debate will be followed at 11pm by the usual edition of Tonight with Vincent Browne, offering analysis and discussion of the debate.
It is understood that Gerry Adams had declined to participate in the debate because of allegations made against him on a previous TV3 programme, which the Louth TD believes went unchallenged.
Enda Kenny had previously declined to participate in Browne’s debate in advance of last year’s general election, in an apparent dispute over on-air comments made by the TV3 host.
However, Browne himself said earlier this month that he understood Kenny’s objection to appearing in tomorrow’s debate was a procedural one, and was not related to that previous dispute.
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I feel so so so sad.Mark came to speak to my school a few years ago. He was a friend of my teacher.,He was great craic and really motivated us, Its awful to hear he is now paralysed, I hope alot of money is raised for him
Unlucky guy, fair play to him for being so positive.
Massive respect to Mark. I heard him on the radio a few weeks ago, a tragic yet inspiring story. We can all learn from his postivity and fortitude. Keep fighting, fella.
I was feeling under the weather today and this story put things into perspective. I will do the run if we can get further details….
Hi Simon – Mark will be delighted to hear it – I put the link to the website with all the details in the article above so readers could easily click through. It is http://www.run4mark.com. Good luck with it!
I watched the programme with Mark in it last year,what a cruel twist of fate Mark has had to endure,losing his sight,and then becoming paraylaysed,and not once have I ever heard him complain.he’s a testament to the words bravery,I really hope everyone can get involved and help Mark in anyway they can.
A total gentleman. Everyone should do all they can for him. I struggled in a fitness test recently and thought of marks journey to the pole…… I found the strength to finish the course.
Where does he get his strength from. It’s amazing
What an inspiration, did he ever get married!
i saw a story today of an ipad2 sold for $5million.
what a waste when causes like marks could benefit from the donations etc…
best of luck with the run, id take part only i suffer with chronic back pain
I’ve shared the link http://www.run4mark.com on other websites that I use. Who knows, someone out there might cough up a load of money to help this young man deal with this new challenge. Mark sounds amazing.
Jaysus, blind n paralysed………
What a fukin trooper.
We all give out for not havin enuf money or cool accessories- try this mans shoes on for the day ( no pun intended)
have your say