FIANNA FÁIL LEADER Micheál Martin has challenged Gerry Adams to a head-to-head debate over the Fiscal Compact referendum, and criticised the Sinn Féin president for his ‘virtual absence’ from the campaign so far.

Martin said there was a ‘fundamental dishonesty’ at the centre of Sinn Féin’s campaign for a No vote in the upcoming election.

The Sinn Féin president has responded by saying he is happy to debate Micheál Martin – and all the other party leaders.

“Given the importance of this referendum to Ireland’s future there should be a live TV debate with all the party leaders, similar to the general election,” Adams said in a statement to TheJournal.ie.

“Obviously the key players in any debate will be the leaders of Fine Gael and Labour as it is the government who must explain where the €6 billion in cuts is going to come from and who must answer questions about the veto”.

Adams was referring to the referendum debate which took place on TV3 last week. Enda Kenny, Eamon Gilmore and the Sinn Féin leader were all absent from the Vincent Browne-chaired debate.

Micheál Martin has called on Adams to ‘step up to the mark’ in what would be a debate between the two main opposition parties.

“Those who have the privilege of leading a political party have an obligation to promote and defend their party policy,” said Martin. “I am hopeful that Deputy Adams will step up to the mark and agree to a one-to-one debate”.

“In my party’s view, there is a fundamental dishonesty at the heart of Sinn Féin’s analysis,” said Martin.

Their claim that Ireland can veto the ESM and Europe would respond to a rejection of the treaty with more money at better interest rates is completely untrue and inaccurate. I would like to tackle this head on with their party President.

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