Taoiseach criticised for failing to attend TV3 debate in Mayo

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was criticised on Monday night for not turning up to a televised debate in his Mayo constituency just days after he took a swipe at “whingers” in Castlebar.

Fine Gael was represented at the TV3 People's Debate with Vincent Browne by local TD Michelle Mulherin, as neither of the party's other TDs in the constituency – Mr Kenny and Michael Ring – turned up.

Rival candidates who lined up to criticise Mr Kenny for his remarks each received loud applause from the audience of more than 1,000 people in Castlebar.

Fianna Fáil's Lisa Chambers, who is from Castlebar, said the people of Mayo were "overjoyed" in 2011 to have a taoiseach from the constituency but that the county had little to show for it five years on. "Where is he? He should be here. It really shows how out of touch this Government are," she said.

Speaking at a rally for supporters in Co Mayo on Saturday, Mr Kenny said: “God knows we have some All-Ireland champions here in Castlebar. I don’t mean Castlebar Mitchells [GAA club], I mean the whingers that I hear every week saying there’s nothing happening.”

On Sunday Mr Kenny said he was speaking about Fianna Fáil and on Monday he apologised.

Asked during the debate whether they were in favour of holding a referendum on whether to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, which bans abortion in all but limited circumstances, none of the Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil candidates said yes.

Ms Mulherin said she agreed with Mr Kenny’s suggestion for a citizens’ forum on the issue while Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary said he did not believe there was a need for a referendum. Ms Chambers did not answer the question.

Sinn Féin candidate Rose Conway Walsh said she was in favour of a referendum as did Tom Moran of People before Profit. Independent Jerry Cowley said no, as did Renua's Michael Farrington, who said he did not believe there was any demand for a referendum.

Health provoked some of angriest exchanges of the debate, with many candidates and audience members raising the issue of overcrowding at the accident and emergency department at Mayo General Hospital. Among the other issues raised from the floor were mental health, rural crime, domestic violence, rural post offices and climate change.