Things are heating up in the race to the Dáil.
Seven of Ireland’s party leaders took to the stage yesterday to debate issues such as healthcare, policing and economic recovery.
The debate was a rare opportunity for minor party leaders such as Lucinda Creighton of Renua, Stephen Donnelly of the Social Democrats and Richard Boyd Barrett of the People Before Profit Alliance to go toe-to-toe with more established leaders such as Enda Kenny and Gerry Adams.
The general consensus was that the inclusion of the smaller parties was good for the debate, with moderator Claire Byrne also coming in for a lot of praise.
Here’s what Irish Twitter-users had to say about the affair:
Mostly they're nill-all draw dronefests but if anyone thinks debates don't matter, three words: President. Sean. Gallagher. #leadersdebate
— Donal O’Keeffe (@Donal_OKeeffe) February 16, 2016
Striking how much better the #leadersdebate was with the smaller parties there. Maybe the world won't end if they do well.
— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole) February 16, 2016
Donnelly far happier with tonight's debate than last week's "custard pie fight to the Benny Hill theme music" #ge16 #leadersdebate
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) February 15, 2016
And the winner is… @ClaireByrneLive followed closely by @DonnellyStephen and @RBoydBarrett #leadersdebate
— Claire Beck 🪩🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@clairebeck1052) February 15, 2016
Enda/Joan/Michael all came across like they didn't believe their spiel. Practiced, rehearsed, passionless & stale. Sums up #LeadersDebate
— Rob Timony (@RobTimony) February 15, 2016
That was two hours and Claire Byrne never once allowed it to slip out of control. Can she be Ceann Comhairle please? #leadersdebate #ge16
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) February 15, 2016
Must say that the 3 smaller parties made the #leadersdebate an awful lot better than the previous one #CBLive
— Alan Kinsella (@electionlit) February 15, 2016
Donnelly: I'm told Labour is the only left-wing party in Europe asking its supporters to vote for a conservative government #leadersdebate
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) February 15, 2016
Google Translate says that what Lucinda really means is "Claire, we'll do busines with anyone who'll have us" #LeadersDebate
— Jim Carroll (@byjimcarroll) February 15, 2016
And lastly, Enda Kenny’s spectacular reaction to Micheál Martin dropping his notes.
The papers are saying that this was the highlight of the #leadersdebate #GE16 #ClaireByrneLive God help us all. pic.twitter.com/Gy6qRYbdrw
— Anthony O'Donovan 🇺🇦 (@anthonyodonovan) February 16, 2016
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