I’m not a plasterer, but if it were my house and I didn’t like the paneling, and I couldn’t paint it, I’d just want the wall done right the first time rather than do a part job and run the risk of having to do it again properly at a later date. Without knowing, I suspect you’ll face adhesion issues trying to apply plaster over paneling.
Try and find out what’s behind the paneling with a view to removing it. Can you peel back a section in a corner? Can you remove a switch plate cover to see what’s layered underneath the paneling?