Michael Noonan,The 'alternative Taoiseach' greets school children
Bertie Ahern, FG claims he cannot defend Government's "abysmal performance"
Fine Gael has claimed Mr Ahern is afraid of a head-to-head with Mr Noonan at the start of the general election campaign because he will not defend what it describes as the abysmal performance of the Government.
Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen said the traditional TV debate will go ahead and one day earlier than normal.
Fine Gael says Mr Ahern should accept invitations to participate in head-to-head debates with the "alternative Taoiseach" Michael Noonan during the early period of the general election campaign
A debate on RTÉ television between the two leaders is planned for the final days of the campaign. Fine Gael said this morning that Mr Ahern is afraid to expose himself to genuine debate and is instead relying on others to conduct this by PR, spin and misinformation.
Brian Hayes of Fine Gael has also insisted that the projections in his party's manifesto are accurate. Political parties are using the first Sunday of the general election campaign to focus on the key issues that are expected to dominate debates in the coming weeks.
Labour's Brendan Howlin has said that Mr Ahern should stop being adorned like the Emperor of Japan and debate the economy with Mr Noonan and the Labour party leader, Ruairi Quinn.
