The People's Debate with Vincent Browne

The People's Debate with Vincent Browne
GenrePolitics
Presented byVincent Browne
Country of originIreland
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes46
Production
Running time120 minutes
Original release
NetworkTV3
Release5 March 2014 (2014-03-05) –
22 February 2016 (2016-02-22)
Related
Tonight with Vincent Browne

The People's Debate with Vincent Browne was a topical debate TV3 television programme in Ireland. Presented by Vincent Browne, the two-hour-long broadcast occurred before a studio audience where audience members participated on the chosen subject(s).[1] Initially airing on the first Wednesday of every month at 10 pm, in the months ahead of the 2016 general election it took to airing more regularly as it undertook a tour of all Dáil Éireann constituencies.

Origins

The People's Debate was launched by TV3 on 12 February 2014. The programme was described as an "experiment in democracy television" featuring a "range of hard hitting, intelligent and probing topics" with "no boundaries as it deals with serious current affairs issues in Ireland from topical matters, political discussion, economics and the affairs of the nation."[2]

The first transmission occurred on Wednesday 5 March 2014. The final show aired on 22 February 2016.

Chairman

The programme was chaired by Vincent Browne, who also presents the four-times weekly Tonight with Vincent Browne.

Browne described the programme as "a new experiment in Irish television". He claimed: "This will be TV3's largest audience show to date with 150–200 people debating the important national issues of the day. There will be no panel of the usual important suspects – if the usual important suspects want to participate they will do so on the same basis as everyone else. This is democracy television."

List of episodes

# Motion Broadcast date
1 That the Fine Gael-Labour Government deserves the support of the Irish people 5 March 2014
2 That Irish women are not yet liberated 2 April 2014
3 That the Irish people should elect Eurosceptic candidates in the upcoming European elections 7 May 2014
4 That Ireland is homophobic 4 June 2014
5 That Budget 2015 should prioritise the relief of the squeezed middle income earners 1 October 2014
Tour of constituencies

Browne toured the Dáil Éireann constituencies with the programme throughout 2015 and early 2016 (ahead of a general election), concluding with the constituencies of the four leaders of the parties with the largest representation in the 31st Dáil. The ruling party, Fine Gael, boycotted many of the early debates.[3][4][5]

Constituency Sitting TDs1 Excuses offered by absentees Broadcast location Broadcast date Date recorded (if different)
Wicklow[6] Stephen Donnelly, Andrew Doyle, Anne Ferris, Simon Harris, Billy Timmins Grand Hotel in Wicklow Wednesday, 14 January 2015 Saturday, 10 January 2015
Clare[7] Pat Breen, Joe Carey, Timmy Dooley, Michael McNamara Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis Wednesday, 21 January 2015 Friday, 16 January 2015
Cork North-West[8] Áine Collins, Michael Creed, Michael Moynihan Charleville Park Hotel Wednesday, 28 January 2015 Friday, 23 January 2015
2Donegal[9][10] Pearse Doherty, Charlie McConalogue, Joe McHugh, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Thomas Pringle Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny Wednesday, 4 February 2015 Friday, 30 January 2015
2Cavan–Monaghan[11] Seán Conlan, Heather Humphriesies, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Joe O'Reilly, Brendan Smith Errigal Hotel in Cootehill Wednesday, 25 February 2015 Monday, 23 February 2015
Dublin North-West Dessie Ellis, John Lyons, Róisín Shortall The Regency Hotel, Swords Road Wednesday, 4 March 2015 Monday, 2 March 2015
Sligo–Leitrim[3][12] Michael Colreavy, John Perry, Tony Mcloughlin Perry promised until that morning then said he had
another engagement; didn't reply to several attempts
at contact. Mcloughlin refused.		 The Clarion Hotel in Sligo Town Wednesday, 11 March 2015 Monday, 9 March 2015
Meath West[13] Peadar Tóibín, Damien English Ray Butler The Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim Wednesday, 25 March 2015 Monday, 23 March 2015
Dublin Mid-West[14] Frances Fitzgerald, Robert Dowds, Derek Keating, Joanna Tuffy Red Cow Moran Hotel Wednesday, 1 April 2015 Monday, 30 March 2015
Kildare North[15] Bernard Durkan, Anthony Lawlor, Catherine Murphy, Emmet Stagg Killashee House Hotel in Naas Wednesday, 15 April 2015 Monday, 13 April 2015
Galway West[16] Noel Grealish, Seán Kyne, Éamon Ó Cuív, Brian Walsh, Derek Nolan Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill Wednesday, 22 April 2015 Monday, 20 April 2015
Limerick County[4] Niall Collins, Dan Neville, Patrick O'Donovan Rathkeale House Hotel Wednesday, 29 April 2015 Monday, 27 April 2015
Meath East[17] Regina Doherty, Dominic Hannigan, Helen McEntee McEntee said she had an illness. Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells Wednesday, 13 May 2015 Monday, 11 May 2015
Waterford[18] Paudie Coffey, Ciara Conway, John Deasy, John Halligan Deasy "couldn't be bothered" according to Browne Tower Hotel Wednesday, 20 May 2015 Monday, 18 May 2015
Dublin South-Central[19] Catherine Byrne, Eric Byrne, Michael Conaghan, Joan Collins, Aengus Ó Snodaigh Michael Conaghan "couldn't be bothered" according to Browne Our Lady's Hall in Drimnagh Wednesday, 3 June 20153 Monday, 25 May 2015 or 1 June 2015?3
Laois[20] Charles Flanagan, Seán Fleming, Brian Stanley Abbeyleix Manor Hotel Wednesday, 10 June 2015 Monday, 8 June 2015
Galway East[21] Ciarán Cannon, Paul Connaughton Jnr, Michael Kitt, Colm Keaveney Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry Wednesday, 17 June 2015 Monday, 15 June 2015
Kerry[22] Jimmy Deenihan, Martin Ferris, Brendan Griffin, Tom Fleming, Michael Healy-Rae, Arthur Spring Deenihan was abroad at the time, representing the government in San Francisco following the Berkeley balcony collapse. Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney Wednesday, 24 June 2015 Monday, 22 June 2015
Dublin Rathdown[23] Peter Mathews, Olivia Mitchell, Shane Ross, Alan Shatter, Alex White Brass Bar at the Stillorgan Park Hotel Wednesday, 1 July 2015 Monday, 29 June 2015
Offaly[24] Marcella Corcaran Kennedy, Barry Cowen Tullamore Court Hotel Wednesday, 8 July 2015 Monday, 6 July 2015
Dublin Bay North[25] Tommy Broughan, Richard Bruton, Terence Flanagan, Finian McGrath, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin Clontarf Hotel Wednesday, 9 September 2015 Monday, 7 September 2015
Roscommon–Galway[26] Michael Fitzmaurice, Denis Naughten The Abbey Hotel, Conference and Leisure Centre in Roscommon Wednesday, 16 September 2015 Monday, 14 September 2015
Carlow–Kilkenny[27] John Paul Phelan, Pat Deering, Bobby Alyward, John McGuinness, Ann Phelan (Arrived Late) The Woodford Dolmen Hotel in Carlow Wednesday, 23 September 2015 Monday, 21 September 2015
Cork South-West Jim Daly, Noel Harrington, Michael McCarthy The Maritime Hotel in Bantry Wednesday, 30 September 2015 Monday, 28 September 2015
Dublin South-West[28] Seán Crowe, Eamonn Maloney, Paul Murphy, Pat Rabbitte St Anne's GAA Club Wednesday, 7 October 2015 Monday, 5 October 2015
Dublin Central[29] Joe Costello, Paschal Donohoe, Mary Lou McDonald, Maureen O'Sullivan DCU St Patrick's Campus Wednesday, 21 October 2015 Monday, 19 October 2015
Dún Laoghaire[30] Seán Barrett, Richard Boyd Barrett, Eamon Gilmore, Mary Mitchell O'Connor The Royal Marine Hotel Wednesday, 4 November 2015 Monday, 2 November 2015
Wexford[31] Paul Kehoe, Liam Twomey,James Browne, Brendan Howlin, Mick Wallace White's Hotel Wednesday, 11 November 2015 Monday, 9 November 2015
Tipperary[32] Séamus Healy, Alan Kelly, Michael Lowry, Mattie McGrath, Noel Coonan, Tom Hayes Kelly promised he would appear but never arrived. Clonmel Park Hotel Wednesday, 18 November 2015 Monday, 16 November 2015
Cork North-Central[33] Billy Kelleher, Kathleen Lynch, Dara Murphy, Jonathan O'Brien The Commons Inn, Commons Road, Cork Wednesday, 25 November 2015 Monday, 23 November 2015
Dublin Bay South[34] Lucinda Creighton, Kevin Humpheys, Eoghan Murphy The Ballsbridge Hotel Wednesday, 2 December 2015 Monday, 30 November 2015
Limerick City[35] Michael Noonan, Willie O'Dea, Kieran O'Donnell, Jan O'Sullivan The Limerick Strand Hotel Wednesday, 9 December 2015 Monday, 7 December 2015
Kildare South[36][37] Seán Ó Fearghaíl , Martin Heydon The Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge Wednesday, 6 January 2016 Monday, 4 January 2016
Dublin Fingal[38][39] Clare Daly, Alan Farrell, James Reilly, Brendan Ryan The Grand Hotel in Malahide Wednesday, 13 January 2016 Monday, 11 January 2016
Cork East[40] Seán Sherlock, David Stanton, Tom Barry, Sandra McLellan The Firgrove Hotel in Mitchelstown Wednesday, 27 January 2016[contradictory] Monday, 25 January 2016[contradictory]
Longford–Westmeath[41] James Bannon, Gabrielle McFadden,Willie Penrose, Robert Troy The Grenville Arms Hotel in Mullingar Wednesday, 3 February 2016 Monday, 1 February 20164
Cork South-Central[42] Jerry Buttimer, Simon Coveney, Ciarán Lynch, Micheál Martin, Michael McGrath The Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork Tuesday, 9 February 2016 N/A
Louth[43][44] Gerry Adams, Peter Fitzpatrick, Ged Nash, Fergus O'Dowd The Carrickdale Hotel in Dundalk Wednesday, 17 February 2016 N/A
Dublin West Tánaiste Joan Burton, Ruth Coppinger, Leo Varadkar The Carlton Hotel in Blanchardstown Thursday, 18 February 2016 N/A
Mayo[45] Dara Calleary, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Michelle Mulherin, Michael Ring Mayo Convention Centre at the TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar Monday, 22 February 2016 N/A
  • 1. TDs present at a debate among their constituents are marked in green. TDs absent from a debate among their constituents are marked in red.
  • 2. Between debates No. 4 and No. 5 (Donegal and Cavan–Monaghan), there occurred a studio debate on 11 February 2015 on the upcoming marriage referendum.
  • 3. Transmission postponed from 27 May due to unspecified scheduling difficulties (possibly the airing of the Europa League Final football game, which occurred on the same night)
  • 4. Originally announced for Monday 18 January 2016, then abruptly postponed.

References

  1. ^ Flynn, Fiona (5 March 2014). "The People's Debate with Vincent Browne". Entertainment.ie. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  2. ^ "TV3 launches The People's Debate, with Vincent Browne". TV3. 12 February 2014. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Perry and McLoughlin boycott Vincent Browne". Sligo Today. 10 March 2015. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016. Although a number of councillors from Sligo and Leitrim attended 'The Peoples Debate' there were no Fine Gael councillors or supporters present. It is understood a directive from Fine Gael HQ prohibited such attendance.
  4. ^ a b Prendiville, Norma (26 April 2015). "Limerick the backdrop for Vincent Browne's People's Debate". Limerick Leader. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016. 'Fine Gael boycotted the early debates but they are now participating and the debates are better as a consequence. Fine Gael had apprehensions about whether the audience would be packed against them. We were able to give assurances that the broadcast version of the debate would be fair.' (The debate is conducted with a live audience but is broadcast a couple of days later.) 'We don't try and fix the audience, as happens a lot in RTE. We leave it open to all comers. That is democratic. We ensure in the debate we don't allow any faction to hog the debate.'
  5. ^ Treacy, Ciara (27 January 2015). "Browne stood up by Fine Gael in TV3 debates". SIN. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  6. ^ "Vincent Browne bringing People's Debate to Wicklow". Bray People. 3 January 2015. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  7. ^ "People's Debate Coming To Ennis". The Clare Herald. 16 January 2015. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  8. ^ Brophy, Daragh (29 January 2015). "Vincent Browne almost fell off his chair laughing at this guy's take on marriage equality". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
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  22. ^ Brennan, Cianan (14 July 2015). "'She was inspirational" – a Kerry woman whose life assurance lapsed over arrears of €244 has died". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016. Jackie had made a heartbreaking, unplanned appearance on the People's Debate with Vincent Browne when it called to Killarney just three weeks ago...
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