Vincent Browne to play almost no part in TV3 election coverage

Veteran broadcaster Vincent Browne will play almost no part in TV3's general election coverage due to a health issue.

The 71-year-old informed viewers of Monday's Tonight with Vincent Browne show that his role would be limited to hosting the four remaining People's Debates, which are constituency based town hall style gatherings where election candidates face questions from constituents.

“I’ve got to deal with a respiratory health problem I have and I’ve got to take time off unfortunately over the next while during the election,” he said.

“I hope to be doing these debates. There are four debates left. They are in the leaders’ constituencies of Mayo, Dublin West, Cork South Central and Louth. I hope to be doing those but unfortunately I won’t be taking part in the programmes otherwise during the election campaign.”

A spokewoman for TV3 said: "We are looking forward Vincent returning to full health and returning to his regular slot in a few weeks time. We wish him a speedy recovery."

Browne, who is known for his combative style of interviewing, has had a fractious relationship with Taoiseach Enda Kenny who refused to take part in any debate chaired by the broadcaster during the last general election campaign.

Mr Kenny at the time said his decision was based on remarks made by Browne in 2010 about suicide.

“Vincent Browne on his television programme advised that I, as leader of my party, should take a bottle of whiskey, a gun and go into a dark room,” he said.

“I have been in hundreds of homes around this country where the tragedy of suicide inflicted pain and stress on many families and I will not participate on any programme that Vincent Browne has anything to do with.”

TV3 said it was disappointed by Mr Kenny’s decision not to participate in the debate, but proceeded without him.

A spokeswoman for TV3 said at the time Browne had made a full and immediate apology for his remarks about suicide, which the station believed had been accepted by Fine Gael.