RTÉ's Late Late Show Will Not Hold Presidential Debate

The Late Late Show will not hold a debate this year between candidates in the Presidential election.

Hot Press had been told yesterday that at least one of the candidates was invited to appear on the Late Late Show on Friday next, but was subsequently dis-invited from appearing on the show.

However, these claims have been dismissed by a spokesperson for RTÉ.

Asked about whether The Late Late Show had planned a debate for Friday night's show, and then put it on hold, RTÉ's Communication Manager Laura Fitzgerald flatly rebutted any suggestion that the programme, presented by Ryan Tubridy (pictured), had been intending to run a debate. "A lot of programmes were considering election stuff," she explained – but she was clear that "no invitation" had been issued to appear on the Late Late Show specifically. She said that the show itself "had not been in contact with anyone from any of the campaigns."

In a statement issued to Hot Press, Laura Fitzgerald also clarified RTÉ's position in relation to its pre-election coverage, giving details of all of the planned Presidential set-pieces.

"RTÉ considered a range of options for its coverage of the the Presidential Election," Laura explained. "RTÉ's confirmed plans spread across radio, television and online. The two RTÉ television debates will be on Claire Byrne Live and Prime Time. All candidates will also be invited to debate on Saturday with Cormac Ó'hEadhra on RTÉ Radio 1."

RTÉ also confirmed the dates for each proposed debate. The Claire Byrne Live Presidential Debate will take place on October 15; Prime Time will take place on October 23, and the Saturday with Cormac Ó'hEadhra debate will take place on October 13. They also confirmed a series of 1-on-1 interviews would take place on different programmes.

The Late Late Show has carried out debates in the context of various elections over the years. In the 2011 Presidential election, The Late Late Show held a panel debate on September 30, as well as interviewing each individual candidate alone. In that particular debate, Michael D. Higgins – who went on to win the election in style – was questioned about his stamina and fitness when it came to the role of Presidency; the Fine Gael candidate Gay Mitchell and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness exchanged harsh words on their respective pasts; and Sean Gallagher, who is running again on this occasion, was questioned about his independence, given his historic ties with Fianna Fail. Gallagher had worked as a special adviser to the Minister for Health, Rory O'Hanlon.

There are inevitably difficulties, in finding dates on which all, or most, of the candidates can participate in a programme, and clearly on this occasion, the Late Late Show has decided that discretion is the better part of valour, leaving the process to the current affairs and news teams.