So much of this general election campaign came to focus on last night’s debate as potentially the key moment which would sway momentum towards one of the three main parties.
It was not to be.
It was an intriguing debate in some ways. Over two hours, there were passages of really boring stuff. There were also feisty clashes in which real ideological differences emerged. There were one or two weak moments for all the candidates. And a few times, there was dirty hurling.
Did anyone emerge as a clear winner? Probably not. There were some sticky moments (especially when Mary Lou McDonald struggled to articulate the attitude of the Banking Federation to her party’s plans on affordable housing) but nothing politically ruinous. It was not 2007, when Bertie Ahern’s performance tipped the balance towards Fianna Fáil and away from Enda Kenny’s Fine Gael.
Election 2024 live updates: Leaders’ debate fails to change dynamic of uncertain election campaign
Leaders’ debate review: A feature-length snooze fest, short on drama but high on stodgy soundbites
Leaders’ debate fails to change dynamic of uncertain election campaign
‘Serial evasion’ and ‘brittle impatience’: Our writers give their verdict on the leaders’ debate
Five years ago, McDonald won the first debate on Virgin Media which was the most important one to win. That was not the case last night. She was very good at the ripostes and put-downs but struggles with very detailed policy areas – and it showed. She was not convincing on housing.
Micheál Martin was the most steady of the three, unspectacular until the final section, when he became animated on the question of coalition. He walked into a haymaker from McDonald when claiming Sinn Féin policies would crucify the economy, only for her to ask was that not what Fianna Fáil did in 2008?
Simon Harris, who had most ground to make up, probably achieved what he set out to do. He had the best one-liners and was the one who needled McDonald most. But he spent a lot of time audibly muttering off camera which was off-putting.
There was some quibbling between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael but by the end it seemed they were operating in tandem.
The positioning of the three, with McDonald in the middle, turned out to be not that important in the end.
Oh. And Sinn Féin needs to retire the phrase TweedleDum and TweedleDee. The tread had worn out on that tyre a long time ago.
The debate was handled really well by Sarah McInerney and Miriam O’Callaghan, although not all of their questions were perfect and the premise of some was challenged by the leaders. Both listened and probed but overall all they covered all areas.
Will this debate sway the undecided? Perhaps a few but it will not gather any big momentum behind any party. At best, it will reinforce views of the leaders and their parties rather than change minds.
Big clashes on the economy and housing
The big clashes were over the economy and housing. Martin and Harris attacked Sinn Féin on the basis that its spending plans did not have sufficient buffers in the event of a shock. Martin disclosed for the first time that Fianna Fáil would not go ahead with tax reductions if the global situation deteriorated. McDonald rejected the economic shock hypothesis.
“I don’t think painting a doomsday scenario is smart,” was her line.
Martin scored points when reminding people that Sinn Féin’s solution to huge hikes in energy prices was the same as that of Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-budget in the UK.
Harris and McDonald both managed to get in lines reminding people that Fianna Fáil had ruined the economy.
On housing, McDonald had her weakest moments. Sinn Féin’s proposal for affordable housing will allow buyers to own the building but not the land. The question is are the banks comfortable with that split ownership. To date they are not. What happens in the event of a default?
The slip from McDonald was when she came out with the slightly gnomic line. “The banks agree with parties in Government and not in Opposition benches.”
Both others pounced on it with Harris saying he did not know what it meant.
She explained it but not convincingly. She said she was absolutely confident that the scheme would be approved by banks.
“At no stage has the Banking Federation said that they will not lend into a scheme of this nature. They have set out their requirements. That is what they do.”
It was hardly a resounding yes. Expect the other parties to zero in on this in the closing days of the campaign.
Did Simon Harris clear up the controversy over the Kanturk incident?
The short answer is no.
“I have no knowledge of that whatsoever because this clip was entirely appropriate.”
Not an unconditional no. It is known that a member of his staff did make an intervention before broadcast but the nature and extent of it has not been disclosed.
Quotable quotes
McDonald on Sinn Féin’s proposals for a review of RTÉ's coverage of Gaza: “I am struck by the very defensive reaction from some to this. The BBC, for example, had a peer review which looked at their coverage on migration.”
Harris: “It is not the time to run the country on a national credit card.”
Micheál Martin: “We all remember Sinn Féin’s proposals on the energy crisis. It was the exact same as Liz Truss’s with the British economy. It caused a huge panic and almost blew the British economy.”
McDonald: “You brought the crash (to Martin) and you brought austerity (to Harris).”
Harris: “My party has never collected a garda killer from a prison.”
Harris channels Francis of Assisi: “Lord let me be climate friendly but not yet.”
Best Reads
Miriam Lord’s entertaining and authoritative take on it.
Jennifer Bray’s Five Takeaways.
Mark Hennessy writes that most parties are now speaking about the Irish unity question.
Pat Leahy says that the dangers of an economic shock will be highlighted by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in the final days of the campaign.
Sarah Burns has been talking to hairdressers about their views in advance of the election.
Leaders' debate: what did we learn and who won?
Playbook
Follow our live coverage for all the latest general election news today.
Fine Gael will hold a rally in Trim, Co Meath involving the Taoiseach, Helen McEntee and other party members. Paschal Donohoe and Noel Rock will also be talking to the media this morning as they canvass in Dublin North West.
Ivana Bacik and Ged Nash will hold a press conference in Labour Party headquarters this morning.
People Before Profit will unveil a banner with its final election message on Rosie Hackett Bridge.
Micheál Martin and Jack Chambers will hold a press conference in central Dublin this morning.
Cian O’Callaghan will also hold a press conference on behalf of the Social Democrats.
In the other papers
The Independent is reporting that Fine Gael will “ramp up fear” by focusing on economic shocks.
Irish Examiner’s front page reports that Fianna Fáil TDs are backing Micheál Martin’s stance of not going into coalition with Sinn Féin.
The Mail has its verdict on the election. Martin is solid as Harris survives with McDonald failing to land a blow.
Sign up for Politics push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up for the Inside Politics newsletter to get our politics team’s take direct to your inbox.
