On Tuesday 21 October, the final presidential debate took place on RTE’s Prime Time. Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys and Independent Catherine Connolly’s final showdown came after what feels like a very long few months of campaigning, scandal, social media posts and debating. A breath of relief was let out across the country, as it does feel as though there have been more presidential debates than there are seasons of Grey’s Anatomy or films in the Scream franchise. 

It’s a relatively peaceful hour with nothing said that we haven’t already heard in another debate or interview, and neither candidate says much to push themselves to new voters. Connolly refers to ‘when’ she is president, as opposed to ‘if’, a confidence which is yet to be deemed justified, while one could start a game in which they take a sip of their preferred beverage each time Humphreys starts the response to a question with “Well can I just say”, before dancing around what has been asked.  

X Reacts to the final debate.

The first question is to Humphreys. She is asked to assert why she would be a better president than the woman beside her. She doesn’t answer the question, she instead references the ongoing riots of the evening, which as important as they are, are not what was being asked. Miriam O’Callaghan states that she will come back to this topic, and encourages Humphreys to answer the question at hand: what will make her a better president than Connolly?  

“I think it’s historic in the first instance that there are four women here, two interviewers and two female candidates and that should be recognised,” said Connolly. She was clever to make this point ahead of making her case for why she was a better presidential candidate, referencing herself, Humphreys, and hosts Miriam O’Callaghan and Sarah McInerney, who take turns asking the questions. “All women find it difficult to say I, but I believe that I have the characteristics to make a president. I represent a different kind of Ireland. Unfortunately, Heather is more of the same,” said Connolly.  

Personally, I would have liked to see this final debate as a chance to show more humility from each candidate. I wonder if it was more normalised for a candidate to put their hands up and say, “Yes I made a mistake”, would that help or hurt their campaign?If there was more humanity in these candidates, more personability, would it be easier to feel like we are voting for actual people, not simply two seasoned politicians?  

What follows is discussions around Gaza, Donald Trump, each woman’s career, questions around Connolly’s work on repossession cases that have been widely reported, to which she is adamant that she has been as clear as she can about the situation.  

  

Personally, I would have liked to see this final debate as a chance to show more humility from each candidate. I wonder if it was more normalised for a candidate to put their hands up and say, “Yes I made a mistake”, would that help or hurt their campaign?If there was more humanity in these candidates, more personability, would it be easier to feel like we are voting for actual people, not simply two seasoned politicians?  

What follows is discussions around Gaza, Donald Trump, each woman’s career, questions around Connolly’s work on repossession cases that have been widely reported, to which she is adamant that she has been as clear as she can about the situation.  

“I’ve never avoided a question in my life. My life would be easier if I was less blunt.” – Catherine Connolly.  

Humphreys is again questioned on the Irish language and her fluency and brief stint in the Gaeltacht. “I commit to returning to the Gaeltacht, returning to Donegal, I’m very proud of our language. I did spend a week in the Gaeltacht. I would like people to come on a journey with me.” My own Gaeilge abilities are called into question as Connolly and interviewer Miriam O’Callaghan have a back and forth in our native tongue. Connolly is clear to say that she has never criticised anyone for not speaking the language, and O’Callaghan talks about the use of the Irish language to alienate people, particularly in the northern part of the island. 

Each candidate is asked about their plans for their Council of State. Humphreys says “I would like to appoint more women. First priority would be on women. I know that there are many women well qualified to sit on the Council of State.” Connolly made clear that all of her energy has gone into her campaign over the last three months, and that while she hasn’t specific people in mind, she knows what qualities she would look for. “I’ll be looking to have as diverse a range of people in those seven appointees. Disability, diversity, young and not so young.”  

The point is made that a president must have humility, and each candidate is asked about something that they regret, in their professional career specifically. Humphreys speaks of Covid times. “What really hits me hard is the fact that there were regulations there that when a relative was dying you couldn’t hold their hand, you couldn’t whisper something in their ear and that stays with me, and I regret that I really do. I think we could’ve found some way,” she said. Connolly piggybacks on the same issue., “I regret agreeing with the Government (on the same issues). I agree with Heather, it was Government policy. My personal regret is that I agreed in the first place with the regulations.” She then uses the point to mention a break in trust (to which Humphreys interjects that they were following medical advice), and the evening draws to its close.  

It is wrapped up nicely. The two women smile at each other and shake hands, perhaps just for the camera, but still a nice show of mutual respect. It can be assumed that both candidates must be exhausted after what has felt like a very long run up to Friday October 24^th.