President Michael D. Higgins and businessman Sean Gallagher have come under fire for no-showing a televised debate on RTÉ on Monday night.
While Higgins had reiterated that he wouldn’t be taking part in the debate, Sean Gallagher insisted that he wouldn’t take part in any debate in which all candidates were not present.
However, a spokesperson for Michael D. Higgins sent a message to presenter Claire Byrne defending against claims made by Peter Casey regarding Higgins’ dog-grooming expenses.
Liadh Ní Riada, who has been vocal in the past regarding the two no-showing debates, has said ““If you are running for President, if you want to be first among equals, you need to turn up and that is equally true of Seán Gallagher and Michael D Higgins.
“No one should have a misplaced sense of entitlement in this election.
“Sean Gallagher shouldn’t be hiding behind Michael D Higgins unwillingness to participate in the first televised debate of the Presidential election.
On Saturday, I asked Seán where he had been for the last seven years – at a time of huge difficulties for families right across the country.
“Where was he during the marriage equality referendum, the Repeal the 8th referendum or two years of discussion on Brexit.
“Seán wouldn’t answer that question on Saturday and tonight he is going to be watching the debate at home but at some point he is going to have to answer.”
