It can only be good for the democratic process which we are now experiencing that almost one million prospective voters - 941,000 people - watched the leaders' debate on the Prime Time programme on RTÉ on Thursday night.
That is more than 100,000 higher than the audience for the debate between Bertie Ahern and Michael Noonan in the 2002 general election. And that, in turn, is more than the audience for the debate between the outgoing Taoiseach, John Bruton and Mr Ahern as he went on to assume office in 1997.
The audience for this leaders' debate would indicate that it was an important benchmark in the campaign, more important probably for the alternative taoiseach, Enda Kenny, than the incumbent Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. Who won the debate between the two alternative taoisigh is difficult to say.
At one level, the demeanour, as much as the detail of the debate, will have impressed themselves on the voters. Mr Ahern looked tired. Mr Kenny expressed exuberance. But, it was easy for him to do so after 10 years away from the harsh decisions which have to be taken in power.
At another level, it was surprising that Mr Ahern, in the circumstances of the debate, did not drive home the truly enormous achievements of his two governments over the last decade. He did not rise to the vision of full employment and the end of emigration for the first time in the history of this State, the peace and political settlement in Northern Ireland, the wealth of the Celtic Tiger years and one of the lowest tax takes in the European Union. He did not trumpet his vast experience in all his different ministries in government over the years.
It was Mr Kenny's debate to lose. Many people tuned into the debate to assess whether he deserved to be taoiseach opposite Mr Ahern. Could he speak in more than soundbites? Had he the character to be leadership material? Did his so-called contract with voters mean anything in reality?
The outcome was that Mr Ahern made him look more like a leader than he may actually be. Mr Kenny did not need to win the leaders' debate. All he needed to do was not lose it and he succeeded in that.
Mr Ahern failed to play Mr Kenny off the pitch. Fianna Fáil's best opportunity to reverse the slide towards a change in government was missed.
There were a few flaky moments for Mr Kenny and Mr Ahern during the debate. Mr Kenny did not answer adequately on some questions. Mr Ahern was wrong to claim that there was no health crisis. These points, however, are delving into the detail.
The pivotal moments in this election may turn out to be the leadership debates. Mr Ahern did not beat Mr Kenny. Mr Michael McDowell exposed Mr Gerry Adams as a one-trick pony. Mr Pat Rabbitte manifested a confidence bordering on the arrogant and Mr Trevor Sargent was earnest and eager without being realistic.