Current format precludes an open and inclusive debate

Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan said today: “A trustee for the Green Party, Mr Tom Kivlehan, is today applying to the High court for a judicial review next week to challenge the rules RTÉ are applying regarding who can be included in the upcoming party leaders debates.

“The current rules preclude the Green Party and the likes of the Independence Alliance from taking part, despite the fact that we have similar support to other parties who are being included.

“RTÉ is narrowing the options that are being presented to the people when it is clear that voters want to consider a variety of alternatives in this election. The leaders’ debates are always key moments in any campaign. By excluding parties such as our own, RTÉ can affect the outcome in a way that is not fair.

“This is a one in five year chance for the Irish people to decide their future. The people deserve to hear from all the options, all the voices. Exclusion is anti-democratic, it stifles true debate, and it weakens the national discourse.

“There is no legal reason why RTÉ should only include parties with three deputies in the last Dáil. A number of the parties that are being invited to take part on the 15th of February debate were not even in existence when the last election took place.

“RTÉ already apply wider criteria, such as how parties are doing in the polls, the number of candidates they are running and the results of the recent local and European elections as criteria when they are measuring overall election coverage. If such criteria were applied to the leaders’ debate, it is clear that the Green Party would be included.”