Barry to raise 'real issues' on TV showdown

A Cork TD is set to go head to head with an Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on national television this week.

Cork North Central TD Mick Barry has been selected to represent Solidarity-People Before Profit in the Virgin Media Leaders’ Debate this Thursday night.

The news comes after last night’s strong showing by Solidarity-People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd Barrett in the RTÉ Leaders’ Debate.

It is expected that the Cork North Central Deputy will go head to head with Leo Varadkar, Micheál Martin and Mary Lou McDonald among others in front of a TV audience of up to a million people.

Deputy Barry said this morning: “The first leaders’ debate between Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin was as dull as dishwater because they pretty much agree on all the main issues anyway. Last night’s debate was more lively in large measure because Richard Boyd Barrett raised the real issues and didn’t pull his punches. I am looking forward to doing something similar this Thursday night.”