TV3 have issued a statement following Enda Kenny's refusal to take part in a three-way leaders' debate hosted by Vincent Browne.

Kenny said on Friday that he would not join a debate hosted by Browne following the veteran journalist's comment last year that Enda should get a bottle of whiskey and a gun and then "go into a dark room".

"TV3 is disappointed by Fine Gael’s decision not to participate in the channel’s Taoiseach Debate next Tuesday evening presented as planned by Vincent Browne and Ursula Halligan.

"The leaders of Fianna Fáil and the Labour Party have already confirmed that they will take part in the programme which will air at 8pm next Tuesday 8th February.

"We would also wish to extend a standing invite to Deputy Enda Kenny to participate in next Tuesday’s programme.

"Regarding Deputy Kenny's comments about Vincent Browne's remarks, TV3 notes that Vincent Browne made a full and immediate apology which the station believed to have been accepted at the time by Fine Gael.

"TV3 will continue to provide its viewers with independent coverage of the general election."

Despite Enda's refusal, Labour's Eamon Gilmore and Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin are still expected to take part in the debate.