Alan Dukes has accused the Taoiseach of political cowardice in rejecting Michael Noonan's invitation to a televised debate on next month's abortion referendum. Bertie Ahern re-stated his refusal to take part in a televised debate on the issue today, saying that to do so would politicise it.
The former Fine Gael leader claimed that, having done his best to stymie the Referendum Commission getting the facts to the people, Mr Ahern now seemed intent on curtailing public debates through bogus arguments.
MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon today criticised the lack of debate on the referendum and called for a television debate involving the Taoiseach, the Fine Gael leader and herself. Speaking to RTÉ News, she called for a 'No' vote in the referendum.
She said that she could not support the proposed measure because there were no guarantees of legal protection for pre-implanted embryos.
Speaking in Tallaght this morning, Bertie Ahern urged his party's members to get out and campaign for a 'Yes' vote in the abortion referendum on 6 March. He added that he was in no way concerned at what was being perceived as a strong performance by Michael Noonan at his party's Árd Fheis during the weekend.
Mr Ahern said that he believed the Fianna Fáil party was in its strongest position in many years.
