RTÉ is to provide live television coverage of the Green Party annual conference next month - even though the party does not meet the qualifying criteria applied by the station.
The confirmation came as all the main political parties are finalising plans for their annual ardfheiseanna to be held over the next two months prior to the general election.
An RTÉ spokesman said last night it has decided to offer the same broadcast treatment to the Greens as to the other parties, given that the election is around the corner.
Criteria laid down by RTÉ is that it broadcasts live from annual conferences of parties that achieved more than 5 per cent of the vote in the last general election, or hold seven Dáil seats.
The Greens challenged this in the High Court in 2003 but lost. RTÉ broadcast from its annual conference in advance of the 2004 European and local elections but did not do so in 2005 and 2006. RTÉ head of public affairs, Peter Feeney, confirmed last night that the broadcaster will be flexible this year because of the pending general election.
Labour will be the first party to go into conference mode, holding a one-day event in the Helix in Dublin on Saturday, February 10th. The theme will be "Ireland can do better".
The Progressive Democrats' conference takes place in White's Hotel, Wexford, from February 16th to 18th. It is understood this is the first time a political party conference has been held in Wexford.
Meanwhile, Eddie Hobbs will be one of the guest speakers at the Green Party conference in the Galway Bay Hotel from February 23rd to February 25th. The theme is "Ready for Government".
Sinn Féin will stay in Dublin for its conference, which takes place at the RDS from March 2nd to March 4th. The party has invited guest speakers from abroad and is expecting about 2,000 delegates.
The Fianna Fáil conference will be the biggest of all the gatherings. It is expected to attract 5,000 delegates when to Citywest on March 23rd and 24th.
Fine Gael will hold the last of the main political party conferences, on March 30th and 31st. A spokesman said the party had initially planned to host its conference outside Dublin but this is under review given the huge interest from membership and a big venue is needed. A decision will be made this week.
Party conferences: when and where
LabourHelix, Dublin Feb 10th
PDsWhite's Hotel, Wexford Feb 16th-18th
GreensGalway Bay Hotel, Galway Feb 23rd-25th
Sinn FéinRDS, Dublin Mar 2nd-4th
Fianna FáilCitywest Hotel, Dublin Mar
23rd-24th
Fine Gaelvenue to be confirmed Mar 30th-31st