Presidential candidates Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys joined The Pat Kenny Show this morning for a head-to-head debate as polling day nears on October 24th.

The debate came as Ms Connolly was shown to be leading her fellow candidate Ms Humphreys in the race to the Áras, according to the latest Business Post/Red C poll. The poll placed Ms Connolly’s support at 36%, compared to Ms Humphreys’ 25%. 

Presidential debate

 The debate opened with a question on what the theme of their respective presidencies would be if elected as first citizen of Ireland. 

Ms Humphreys indicated that she would have two distinct themes to her presidency with one being “community” and the other being “unity”. 

“I have been in, I would say nearly every Parish in the country, and I see the work of communities right across the country.” 

“I want to introduce a community recognition award by the President so that people are recognised.” 

When discussing her second aim of “unity”, Ms Humphreys explained she wishes to “build on the work” done by Mary McAleese. 

 “In terms of building bridges with Northern Ireland, that is something that I am really really committed to.” 

Ms Connolly indicated that her campaign would focus on peace, while touching on a range of other topics including a United Ireland 

“Article three of the constitution sets out that ‘it is the firm will of the people of Ireland to have a United Ireland’” 

“I would love if that happened during my tenure, and if not, that at least all of the ground and preparatory work will have taken place." 

Gun offences

During the middle portion of the debate, exchanges between the Presidential hopefuls began to liven up.  

Ms Connolly was questioned over her judgement to grant Leinster House access to a woman who had been convicted and jailed for firearm offences by the Special Criminal Court. 

 Ms Connolly answered, “That person was an absolute example of a success story in relation to rehability, who came highly recommended by TD’s, in particular, Eamon O’Cuiv, a respected member of the Dáil, who visited the prisons on a regular basis.” 

 Ms Humphreys interjected and asked Ms Connolly a question, “this person was in possession of guns and a number of other things, did you ever ask her what she was going to do with them?” 

Ms Connolly replied “I think the reasonable question is, what is our opinion on rehabilitation?” 

"'Sorry if' is not good enough"

In the final portion of the debate, Ms Humphreys was questioned over Lucia O’Farrell’s comments that she did not stand “shoulder to shoulder” with her as her local Fine Gael TD, after the passing of her son Shane O’Farrell in a road traffic collision in 2011.  

Humphreys responded, “I am sorry if she thinks I did not do enough” 

Lucia O’Farrell had contacted the show saying that the apology “sorry if” was not enough.  

Humphreys answered, “I am sorry. I am sorry if she feels I did not do enough to help her, I did my best” 

Ms Connolly commented on the matter saying, “Just in relation to Lucia O’Farrell, where the Government failed and the minister was a part of that” 

“Lucia O’Farrell and the family repeatedly asked for a thorough investigation and inquiry, and they never got it.” 

Written by Dylan Hand