TV3, in association with Newstalk, will host the first leaders’ television debate as part of its VOTE 2016 election coverage tonight, live on both TV3 and Newstalk from 9pm to 10.30pm.

The debate will be moderated by Newstalk’s Pat Kenny and TV3’s Colette Fitzpatrick.

An Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael Enda Kenny TD, Tánaiste and leader of the Labour Party Joan Burton TD, leader of Fianna Fáil Micheál MartinTD, and leader of Sinn Féin Gerry Adams TD have all confirmed their attendance in this special four-way leaders’ debate.

Commenting on the announcement, Garrett Harte, Editor-in-Chief of Newstalk said the debate, as the first leaders debate of the General Election campaign, is “a significant showcase for two of the leading brands in the independent broadcasting sector.

“Leader’s debates can be pivotal events in the run-up to polling day and I am looking forward to the formidable team of Pat and Colette probing the leader’s positions in a number of important issues.”

The debate will be followed by a Tonight Show Special at 10.30pm this Thursday (11th February) presented by Newstalk Breakfast’s Ivan Yates along with a panel of political experts and analysts including TV3 Political Editor Ursula Halligan and Mick Clifford of The Examiner.

TV3 Director of News and Information Programming, Andrew Hanlon, said: “With Pat Kenny of Newstalk and TV3’s Colette Fitzpatrick, TV3 will have two of Ireland’s finest current affairs broadcast journalists posing questions in what promises to be one of the big highlights and centre-pieces of the General Election so far.”