Taoiseach Enda Kenny is running scared after refusing to take part in a televised debate about the fiscal treaty with Gerry Adams, Sinn Féin has claimed.
Mr Kenny has ruled out appearing on TV3, saying he would not take part in a programme moderated by journalist Vincent Browne.
But Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty said the Taoiseach had a duty to the public to argue his case for a Yes vote in the referendum.
“I think it’s disappointing that the Taoiseach is running scared from a debate with Sinn Féin,” Mr Doherty said. “He needs to put aside his petty differences with TV3 or any presenter.”
Mr Kenny also declined to attend a TV3 leaders’ debate in the run-up to the general election of 2011.
Mr Kenny refused to appear with the journalist over comments he made on his Tonight With Vincent Browne programme in which he suggested the Fine Gael leader “should go into a dark room with a gun and a bottle of whiskey”.
Fine Gael lodged an official complaint with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland about the remark and Browne later apologised "unreservedly".
In a statement this evening, TV3 said Browne had offered to stand down as moderator in a proposed debate between Mr Kenny and Mr Adams. The broadcaster said it would stage the debate with Ursula Halligan as moderator instead.
Neither the Taoiseach or Mr Adams have yet taken part in a televised discussion on whether Ireland should vote to adopt the stability treaty on May 31st.
Speaking on behalf of Mr Adams, Mr Doherty added: “If he really believes in the measures of this treaty, then he has a duty to debate that with Sinn Féin.
“Enda Kenny is the Taoiseach. He is in government. He is leading the State. He is the person who has signed this treaty and has an onus to stand up and debate with the leader of the No side.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin, who has joined Mr Kenny on the pro-treaty side, has challenged Mr Adams to a debate. Mr Adams has yet to take him up on his offer.
While the Taoiseach turned down the chance to appear on a Vincent Browne debate, he insisted he would be willing face the Sinn Féin leader in a different setting.
“I have debates with Deputy Adams on Tuesday and on Wednesdays,” he said. “I am very happy to debate with Deputy Adams but I do not do the Vincent Browne programme.”
TV3’s Mr Browne hosted the first live treaty debate last week, with Mr Martin and Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney on the Yes side and Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald and Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins on the No.