Fine Gael has said Enda Kenny would take part in a three-way leader’s debate, but only if it were broadcast simultaneously on TV3 and RTÉ.

Fine Gael has said Enda Kenny would take part in a three-way leader’s debate, but only if it were broadcast simultaneously on TV3 and RTÉ.

Tonight’s statement came hours after Mr Kenny refused to take part in any programme hosted by Vincent Browne, casting doubt on his participation in the TV3 debate scheduled for next Tuesday, February 8th on TV3.

Mr Kenny has been embroiled in a row 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”.

Canvassing in Roscrea today, Mr Kenny said he would not take part in any programme involving Browne. “I have been in hundreds of homes across the country where the tragedy of suicide has inflicted pain and stress and deep tragedy on families,” he said.

Fianna Fáil and Labour said they would take part in the debate and challenged Mr Kenny, who has previously said he would only take part in a five-way debate involving the leaders of the main parties, to take part.

In a statement this evening, TV3 said it was "disappointed" by Fine Gael’s decision not to take part in its debate, adding that it will be presented by Browne and Ursula Halligan. "Regarding Deputy Kenny’s comments about Vincent Browne’s remarks, TV3 notes that Vincent Browne made a full and immediate apology which the station believed to have been accepted at the time by Fine Gael," the station said.

This evening, Fine Gael’s director of elections Phil Hogan said Mr Kenny will only take part in a debate with Micheál Martin and Eamon Gilmore if it is broadcast simultaneously on TV3 and RTÉ on February 22nd. Mr Hogan said the party was satisfied with RTÉ’s plans to hold an “unprecedented” five way debate on February 14th.

Mr Martin said tonight he was “frankly amazed" by Mr Kenny's behaviour. “After nine days of a constantly changing series of excuses he has now withdrawn from next week's first debate,” he said. "As a leader of government you have to be able to deal with tough negotiations in many forums. Talking to former paramilitaries about peace, with other countries about treaties or multinational executives about investments - you have to face much tougher situations than a debate moderated by Vincent Browne."

Mr Martin said he looks forward to having a "constructive exchange" with Mr Gilmore.

Labour education spokesman Ruairí Quinn accused Mr Kenny of running scared from the electorate over the TV3 debate. "The symbolism of the empty chair would be very real if Enda didn't turn up and for the life of me I can't understand why Enda is so frightened of participating," said Mr Quinn at a press conference this morning at Labour Party headquarters.

"All the evidence would seem to indicate that one of the dominant factors that influence people's voting choices is who is likely to be taoiseach. A three-way debate is about the three people who could possibly be taoiseach and people want to see them perform," he said.

This afternoon, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland failed to uphold a complaint by Rachel White of support group Headline over the comments.

In response to the complaint, TV3 said it had investigated the comment and “would like to point out that it was stated in a clearly flippant and glib manner and that Mr Browne is in no way an advocate of suicide”.

However, it said that it understands it could have been viewed as offensive and cause upset to people whose lives have been affected by suicide. “As such, Mr Browne offered a full and unreserved apology to viewers for any distress caused and to Mr Kenny and his family. He took the further measure of writing personally to Mr Kenny to express regret for the remark.” In addition, Browne apologised for the remark on his show the following night.