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LAST UPDATE | 23 Oct 2018
IN 72 HOURS time, the voting will be all over in the presidential election.
It means that time is running out for the candidates to make their case and tonight’s RTÉ Prime Time debate was the best chance they’re going to get to influence the outcome.
All six took part and this is how it went down.
Evening all, Rónán Duffy here. I’ll be liveblogging tonight’s debate and I’m looking forward to a bit of humdinger.
To be frank, it has to be for any of the incumbent’s five rivals to have a chance in this thing.
Michael D Higgins has a huge lead in the polls, so large that any result other than a Higgins win would be an upset of unprecedented proportions.
But as we know in this country, last-minute debate surprises do happen and the five challengers will be hoping for a game-changer tonight.
Basically, if they’ve any last-minute rabbits to pull out of hats. Tonight is the night to do it.
We’re just over 30 minutes from the start of the debate (9.45pm) and the candidates are already at RTÉ.
In fact, they’ve left the safety of the Montrose dressing rooms to take the positions in the studio.
A bit early you’d think but enough time to get used to where they, eh, stand.
The two female candidates are occupying the furthest left positions while the three Dragons are on the right.
Higgins looks happy enough to be between them.
RTÉ’s David McCullagh is the man asking the questions and presumably breaking up any unsportsmanlike conduct from the candidates tonight.
He’s broken out the celestial bling for the evening.
But if shouty debates aren’t your thing, we’ve also got you covered this evening. In podcast form.
TheJournal.ie’s Sinead O’Carroll sat down with each of the six hopefuls during the course of the campaign to get a sense of who they are and what they want to achieve as president.
The in-depth interviews threw up some interesting tidbits and some tetchy moments but you can listen to them all at your leisure.
Click here to listen to all six on Soundcloud
For the record, and for those of you who have decided to ignore the race until this final week, the six candidates are: President Michael D Higgins, Senator Joan Freeman, Liadh Ní Riada MEP, Gavin Duffy, Sean Gallagher and Peter Casey.
Those final three were all Dragons on the RTÉ version of Dragons Den.
There have been two other main TV debates in the race so far. The first hosted by Claire Byrne on RTÉ One and the second hosted by Pat Kenny on Virgin Media One.
Higgins and Gallagher both didn’t show up for the first debate and were brutally criticised by remaining candidates for not doing so.
In the second debate, Casey defended his comments about Travellers after they were labelled as racist and went on the attack over Higgins’ spending in the Áras.
Sinn Féin’s Ní Riada also said she would wear a poppy if elected president, something which some in her own party have expressed reservations over.
What’s going to be interesting to see tonight is exactly how much Higgins’ challengers go after him directly.
They all say they’re in the race to win it and if that’s true they’re going to need to take a bite out of the huge lead he has.
In addition, it will also be interesting to see if Higgins does swing back at his opponents.
In his interview on TheJournal.ie’s The Candidate podcast, Higgins criticised the focus on presidential spending and noted that he’s declined to ask those who have been criticising his spending who they’d disinvite from the Áras.
Higgins probably knows he doesn’t need to get into a shouting match with his opponents, but will he be able to resist throwing the odd barb himself?
McCullagh goes to Higgins first.
He’s asking about the controversy over the use of the government jet to go to Belfast.
Higgins said there is “always logistical and security” reasons why decisions are taken but the decision to fly was not his.
He says he would have preferred to travel by car.
Gallagher describes it as “a pattern to hide behind security concerns”.
He mentions homelessness and other issues, says to Higgins that he “knows in his heart” that flying to Belfast was the wrong decision.
Peter Casey looks to Higgins.
Calls him “a liar” for saying he would serve one term and continuing.
McCullagh says he won’t let people call each other liars.
Casey changes his tack, saying Higgins has been “economical with the truth”.
Higgins is asked by McCullagh if he’s “happy” to have flown in the government jet “as a lifelong socialist”.
Higgins says he is “not happy with any extravagance”.
He is asked directly how many times has he used the government jet this year.
Higgins doesn’t answer for a few seconds before saying he has used it twice.
We’re onto Casey’s comments on Travellers.
McCullagh puts it to him that surely they fit the bill of racism.
Casey quotes the Proclamation, as he has done several times, saying he “cherishes all of the children equally”. Adds that he doesn’t think Travellers deserve “special” status.
“I absolutely rejected the concept that I am racist,” he says.
Casey denies that his comments on Travellers were “an attack”.
Says he would describe them as “an observation”.
Duffy says that Travellers have been recognised as a separate ethnicity by the Dáil and that the president should not be contradicting the Dáil.
“Politicians make mistakes,” Casey responds.
Casey says that Travellers get numerous benefits because of their ethnicity, including “houses and fields”.
Liadh Ní Riada says that he can’t say this as it is not the case.
Ní Riada is now being asked about comments she made two years ago when she expressed a reluctance to give her daughter the HPV vaccine.
The candidate says that the comments were made because she felt she had “a lack of information” about the vaccine. She says she was never opposed to the HPV vaccine and is not now.
She says that the HSE has now “stepped up to provide the scientific information we need” about the vaccine.
Repeats that she was “naive” to make the comments she did.
Gallagher is asked about why he did not express his views on the various referendums and social issues since he came as a runner up in the presidential election in 2011.
He responds by bringing up Tweetgate, says that RTÉ has “learnt lessons” by what happened and argues that he “did not have a mandate” to get involved in political issues since 2011.
There’s a bit of as argument between fellow Dragons Gavin Duffy and Sean Gallagher.
Duffy said that Gallagher has been claiming to be promoting social entrepreneurship when in fact he is “a commercial landlord”.
Gallagher acknowledges that he “provides space” for businesses and says that people from the private sector should not be precluded from running.
Freeman gets involved as well, she says that Gallagher is not “giving away space for free”.
Gallagher mentions Michael D Higgins “not turning up” for the first debate and says that he was “sitting at home drinking coffee”.
Higgins says that he was not drinking coffee, instead saying he had responsibilities as president.
It’s the first time Higgins had spoken in some time.
Higgins goes on to defend his media schedule during the campaign. He says that he has been dealing with “innuendo” during the campaign and is unhappy with it.
Gallagher asks him to turn up to the final debate tomorrow on Virgin Media One.
He declines.
Duffy denies his business is spin. Says public relations is not listed on his website.
Casey is now bringing up Tweetgate. Says that Gallagher effectively “sued the Irish taxpayer” and claims that “RTÉ did nothing wrong”.
Gallagher says they shouldn’t be having a rerun of the 2011 campaign. A couple nod in agreement.
We’re now going to a break.
McCullagh looks like he could do with one.
We’re halfway through and the consensus online seems to be that the debate is a pretty low energy affair and is drifting all over the place.
It’s hard to disagree with that conclusion.
I don’t think that anyone will be majorly pleased with it, they’ve all had better performances.
All this of course is probably good news for Higgins.
We’re back now and McCullagh is giving Freeman a chance to outline her policies.
Freeman is the founder of mental health charity and speaks about her experience.
She claims that others in the campaign are “jumping on the coattails of mental health”, adding, “but I’m the expert”.
Freeman goes for a big line:
There’s land outside Dublin. It’s called the rest of Ireland.
You can draw your own conclusions.
Duffy is speaking about his plans for an International Youth Corp where Irish youngsters can travel abroad to represent the country.
“I can assure you, the financing on this won’t be a problem,” he says.
Duffy is also speaking about obesity problems and labels himself as someone who has “yo-yoed” in weight.
Duffy is being asked for details on his Ireland International Youth Corp.
“A lot of young people chop and change college courses,” he says, adding that the corp will give them an opportunity.
Casey promises to be one of the “most interesting and exciting” presidents if he’s elected.
He also says that he will appoint his wife to the Council of State.
Higgins is still on the podium. But he’s not saying much.
He’s now being asked about his previous seven years.
He says that he has not been “responding to change” but has been involved in initiating it.
“A president can initiate a discussion on why a deeply unequal society can repeat itself,” Higgins says.
Ní Riada is now being asked about her comments on saying she would challenge the government while in office. McCullagh asks “is that wise?”.
Ní Riada says that addressing the Oireachtas is an important right the president has.
Higgins cuts across her (notably one of the first times he’s done so) and says he addressed the European Commission on the issue of austerity.
The pair have a little argument as gaeilge. They are the only two fluent Irish speakers in the race.
Freeman wants to get involved.
She looks at the three Dragons and says she “doesn’t quite know” what they have promised to do to address issues like addiction and homelessness.
Gallagher, who has spoken about the problems with his sight, says that if he’s elected Ireland “will become a role model” in how it treats disability.
Casey is asked about his personal taxes.
He says that he has a US Green Card and because of that has to pay a percentage of his worldwide taxes in the US. He says it’s 46% but that he’s attempting to change that to pay personal taxes here.
He says his Irish companies pay taxes here.
Gallagher says he pays taxes here but won’t go into details about how much.
Duffy says he’s “never had an offshore account” and that he has a “single business”.
He says that his taxes are “tight”, unlike the other Dragons.
Gallagher takes issue with this but Duffy clarified that he meant that he has a single business.
Ní Riada says that she pays €40,000 in tax and gets €60,000 in take home pay from her wage as an MEP.
McCullagh says that she told Hot Press that she took home “the average industrial wage”.
Ní Riada says that she gets a “good wage” but that it’s an “average wage”.
She describes the difference as “semantics”.
Ní Riada did not answer that question very well, she’s struggled on it before as well.
Freeman is asked about the funding of her campaign and whether it was a misjudgement to take a loan from an old friend whose company was accused of running a ponzi scheme.
She says that asking the question was a misjudgement as it was a personal loan, not a loan from his company.
Says to McCullagh that if she got a loan from him it would not be a loan from RTÉ.
Higgins is now being asked about expenses.
McCullagh asks why further details can be released after the election but not now.
Higgins says that any change that’s made must be “done properly” and that any change would affected presidents that come thereafter.
Gallagher says that “the shock and disgrace” of the election has been the unvouched €317,000 fund that’s available to the Áras each year.
Casey says he will release all his campaign funding tomorrow.
Freeman says that it’s “very strange” that all three Dragons have been put standing beside each other in the debate and that they “seem like best friends tonight”.
McCullagh says that the order the candidates were put in was arranged after lots were drawn.
The candidates are being asked under what circumstances they would refuse to dissolve the Dáil.
Higgins says the president would have the ability to take time to make the decision.
We’ve run over time.
In fact, the RTÉ Player has given up on in the debate.
The candidates were given some quickfire questions to finish the debate.
Ní Riada is asked what’s the biggest mistake she’s made in her life, jokes that it was “wearing high shoes to this debate”.
Casey is asked what traits he dislikes about himself.
“Gosh there’s quite a few,” he says, before settling on working too hard.
A classic interview answer to finish tonight’s proceedings.
Well that’s it from me tonight, thanks for joining us on the liveblog.
If you’d like to rate how the candidates did, we’ve a new sporty Player Ratings feature that lets you judge each candidate’s performance. Be nice/honest.
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Casey number 1
@Artur Gurta: I think he’s winning the debate so far :)
@2101hrs
Casey #1
@Fiasco99: http://www.jobs.ie
@Artur Gurta: Very poor reporting here. RTE interrupting Casey all the time while letting MD talk utter crap at length.
@Fiasco99: you posted that at 9.03. The debate didn’t start until 9.50. Biased much?
@lisa duignan: TV licence fee payers don’t want to hear Casey’s racist rants. Fair play to David McCullough for reflecting that.
@Artur Gurta: People don’t want to hear Higgins. They are tuning in to hear Casey!
@Artur Gurta: that’s why I specifically noted the time.
Not overly trying to hide the bias.
Casey #1
@Fiasco99: yes i saw you posted the time. Just making others aware.
@PaulineSmith: You’re obsessed. Be careful you don’t vote for Casey by accident cause he seems to be consuming your thoughts.
@Jane: I voted Yes to Marriage Equality and Yes to Repeal the 8th. I don’t vote for regressive, backward people.
@PaulineSmith: veronica us back
@shanekeogh: is back
@PaulineSmith: past your bed time nan
@Artur Gurta: Ha ha. People who believe the tripe Casey is spouting are not the sort of people who actually vote. Casey will be lucky to move past 2% of the vote
@PaulineSmith:
Casey speaks the truth go toRathkeale at Christmas
@PaulineSmith: please know what you are speaking if you were robbed you would think different
A vote for Casey is a vote for world peace
@Brian Scott: Ha ha! The 5 Alt-Right Trolls on The Journal would have you believe he can cure cancer!
@PaulineSmith: I’ve seen him heal mutes
@Brian Scott: Apparently he speaks ‘THE Truth’ too, LOL! Bunch of clowns voting for him, wouldn’t trust them with a pair of scissors!
@PaulineSmith: ever since he said FG are doing a great job I knew, this man only speaks the truth
He is the chosen one….
Casey #1
@Fiasco99: I think if Casey loses, then the king is the travellers should be allowed to park his caravan within the walls of Aras
Lets go Casey!
@Joe: Reminds me of that pig at the end of the Loony Tunes cartoons when he tries to speak; “Ah deeba deeba deeba That’s All Folks!”
@PaulineSmith: wow enlightened! Thsnks for that Pauline
Journal, Can you please stop reporting this drivel and get back to Krispy Kreme in Blanch. We have no idea how long the queues have been all week for Christ sakes.
@John O’Leary: I’ve been wondering the very same.
The cat is out of the bag for Casey now, shocking that he is demanding we spend €6 billion on weapons, what planet is this guy on??!!
@PaulineSmith: sooner the bees die out the better
President Higgins could fly the government jet to New York with his dogs on board and have them pampered and groomed in some of new York’s finest dog groomers courtesy of the tax payer and the people of Ireland will still vote him in because he has been a great statesman for this country.
@Tom Ryan: it’s not the use of the jet
It’s the lie that it was for security reasons.
And the media’s complicity in covering it up
@Tom Ryan: And the lie about liking a halting site next door.
@Fiasco99: maybe but he’s the only one that comes across as remotely presidential tonight.
@Tom Ryan: They would fly him out and that would be the back and forth.
@Tom Ryan: statesman who screws the tax payer and then suffers amnesia
@lisa duignan:
have you had a glass of wine tonight Lisa because your not making any sense,
@Martin Brennan: if he was really so interested in screwing the tax payer, and nothing else, why has he given back to the state around 100k a year in pensions he is entitled to, every year for the past seven years?
@Tom Ryan: I’m not watching, so you may be right.
@Dermot Lane: Shush now Dermot, we can’t let facts get in the way when good ol’ prejudice is much more fun. Don you not know how mob mentality works…!?
@Tom Ryan: love it!
Higgins does live within 100m of a halting site. You can google map it if you want.
Peter casey is a true gent. One of our own boss.
@Conor Kleaver: Ha ha. Lets see how many of “your own” actually get out and vote.. Not many
Come on Casey. For a non politician I thought he played a blinder given the circumstances.
MDH is the king of deflecting questions.
LNR came across terribly, very condescending.
Joan isn’t fit for it remotely, no reason needed.
Thumb was rehearsed like a Robot.
Gavin bizarrely not as annoying as the rest tonight.
@Stephen Watson: it’s only half way through!
@Stephen Watson: People from privileged backgrounds are attracted to millionaires after all!
@PaulineSmith: hiding behind a bee
@PaulineSmith: Oh dear! Your own prejudices are shining through there.
@Jane: Says the Iona-Bot
@PaulineSmith: ah don’t be getting thick…
Who in God’s name would vote for Gallagher. He sounds so out off touch
M D’s dogs refute all allegations of eating tax payers food
@Martin Brennan: Casey seems more interested in Michael’s dogs than the Irish people.
@PaulineSmith: Irish people wear blinkers where politicians are concerned they screw the tax payer for every expense going and we loose our marables and suspend our faculties defending whatever party or politician we support. MD has a sense of entitlement and is smug about it- the only reason he will be elected is the fffg combination want th spare their slush funds for the general election early in the new year
@Martin Brennan: as a dublin taxi driver now and again I have had over the years ferried politicians on occasions and have witnessed there disregard for tax payers money first hand.
One leader of a political party I brought out to tv 3 in ballymount an hour before she was due on set because of make up purposes. She then insisted that i wait with meter running until her (not live) interview was complete.
Another occasion I had a politician chasing letters of recommendations to the Senate around the four corners of the city at a cost of over 180€ and this was recovered by said politician. Gravy train
@Eugene Conroy: The reality is the cosy cartel in the media won’t print these types of extravaganza as they are net beneficiaries of politicians wining and dining
Joan Freeman wants to promote wellness and mental health and yet voted in favour of young, vulnerable women having to travel abroad for bodily autonomy?
@Rochelle: are honestly doubting her expertise on mental health?
@Rochelle: I’m questioning whether her vision of wellness matches that of the public as it seems to be something more spiritual than based in reality. How else could someone with such a priority in the area of mental health not see the incredible psychological damage and even loss of life that the our archaic abortion laws had caused for decades?
@Rochelle: The rate of suicide is lower among women who carry pregnancy to full term than those who have an abortion. So maybe check your own expertise first.
Hi Thomas ; you wouldn’t mind putting up a credible source for that one ? Thanks
Haha the average industrial wage 70€k apparently…. sweet baby Jesus…..
@John O’Keeffe: she got caught out badly there
@John O’Keeffe: she makes 100 grand a year, pays tax, gives Sinn Fein a chunk (they’re funding her campaign!!) And thinks by keeping 48k she’s on the average wage!!
I want to know if as president will she still keep 48k and give Sinn Fein the rest?
Michael D. No. 1.
@Shanley Mac: he is the number one liar alright.
@Elizabeth Barry: they’re all Liars….
Jesus I admired Casey during the week by speaking his mind but god he’s just terrible at public speaking. He can barely string a sentence together. Quality of candidate is so poor. They’re arguing about irrelevant minor issues instead of important issues
@Anthony: they can discuss important issues all they like, but they won’t be relevant to the job of president.
@Dermot Lane: of course important issues are relevant to the job. Political issues however are not
I want the government jet ,, it’s my turn now ,,!!!!
@RockyRockStar: haha brilliant
@RockyRockStar: only if you can claim it is for security reasons.
And also try and blame the PSNI and expect them to keep quite
@Fiasco99: yeah, he used it twice this year within the country. Such extravagance! (PS it’s quiet, not quite).
@RockyRockStar: it’s the lie that’s the issue
Not the use of the jet
@Dermot Lane: pretty extravagent bringing a jet from Dublin to Kerry to be fair
@Declan Edward: Maybe, but I think that depends somewhat on his schedule for the rest of the day. I genuinely don’t believe the use of the jet is an issue.
@Declan Edward:
The Government Jet has to be maintained in top order at all times , the pilots have to clock up flying hours , in order to do this. Would it be better just to fly the jet empty around Ireland’s Air Space to give it a run or to occasionally use it to bring the President to an engagement . Hot air about nothing.
@RockyRockStar: most people dont have a problem with the usr of the jet.
The issue was the lie.
Because he didn’t want people to think he was being extravagant. Bit he still wanted the jet
@RockyRockStar: If Higgins is repeating what his staff told him, it’s hardly a lie, is it…?
Also, if the jet is necessary for state affairs and emergencies and is within the purvue of our security forces who need to maintain legal licencing and a state of readiness, then it is a security issue.
Imagine the scandal if it turned out the pilots were unlicenced to fly the thing or it wasn’t properly maintained?
Can’t you find an actual reason that stands up to scrutiny as to why Casey is so much better than Higgins…?
@RockyRockStar: the Air Corps training is irrelevant here.
If he named the individual that gave him the “wrong” information I’d believe him. But an “anonymous aid”?
C’mon!
Ni Riada pays €40k in tax and gets €60k take home.That’s a salary of €100k, not €75k. Plus she gets up to €50k in expenses.
€150k per year is over 4 times the average industrial wage. She’s a bit loose with the truth.
LNR saying 47k net is the average industrial wage haha my God how out of touch is she
Can’t wait for Friday and the end of this election,it is boring beyond words and worse still we knew the outcome from the beginning,but still we are subjected to the stage shows which only serve to remind us how unsuitable the candidates are and how ill acquainted they are with the office of President and its functions,Michael D need not bother pack for another seven years.
You’d never think rte are on Micky D’s side ,, don’t call a liar a liar please ,, David McCullagh should be sacked for the way he has started this debate
Joan Freeman is on another planet !
Unreal how biased the media are to Higgins it’s time we moved away from the establishment Higgins comes across as a very pompous person totally out of touch a complete puppet for the government it’s time that this great nation of ours moved forward and give one of these candidates a chance to make a difference
@Martin O Donnell: but they are all pillars of the establishment. And the amount of difference a president can make to anything is minimal
@Dermot Lane: the only established candidate is Higgins backed by all parties but sinn Fein it’s time we as a country move away from this Higgins comes across as a privileged pompous individual and it’s time that a real person can take office and try make a difference
@Martin O Donnell: What makes you say the “media” are all biased towards Higgins? Is it perhaps that in all the polls he has between 68-70% approval?
@Martin O Donnell: If MDH is a puppet, then you are a Muppet….FULL STOPS Man look like this….
@Martin O Donnell: Youd swear the other candidates werent pompous and privileged puppets
@Martin O Donnell: I think you need to take the blinkers off there, as regards the other candidates. Casey is running for the highest office in the land and he doesn’t even pay taxes here. Ni Riada got caught out in a lie about her salary. Of the other 2 Dragons, one was born into a privileged background and the other is FF light. Joan Freeman, while I actually think she is sincere, is backed by a dodgy businessman and seems clueless as to the constitutional role of the president. Take your pick.
@Dermot Lane: All true, except you neglect to mention Michael D’s significant shortcomings. Shady expenses and extravagance in the job, pretentious waffling as par for the course, a penchant for leftist dictators abroad, the list goes on.
Absolutely none of the candidates are fit for the office.
@ihcalaM: yes, I was clearly talking about the other candidates besides MD H, as I say in the comment, which was in response to someone called MD H ‘priveleged’
@Dave Harris: people being brainwashed can’t think for themselves
What business does sean Gallagher have saying in an interview about Michael d Higgins getting a jet from Dublin to Belfast. Trying to get the people mad so we will give him a vote. Bore off.
Sinn Fein shown up for what they are!
Thankfully Michael D changed his mind and decided to run. Having any of those other 5 as President would be a serious embarrassment for the country. Ironically he is head and shoulders above them.
@CrabaRev: if he hadn’t been ordained by the media FF FG and labour there would have been other candidates. Maybe Bertie ahern or Gerry Adams type.
At least we have Peter Casey.
@CrabaRev: We had a “Gerry Adams type” last time out and he was also a complete waste of space. He didn’t even know where he wanted to be president of. Bertie Ahern????? Get a grip.
ah jeesus….gallagher the martyr beating the old drum about how he was so ” wronged” 7 yrs ago
As the journal do not have a poll, thumbs up one of the comments below to support your candidate.
@James Henehan: Michael D Higgins
@James Henehan: Peter Casey
@James Henehan: Gavin Duffy
@James Henehan: Joan Freeman
@James Henehan: Sean Gallagher
@James Henehan: Liadh Ní Riada
All the real polls ( the journal polls are not accurate because they are only made up of respondents who are on the website, not random samples as used by polling companies) put Michael D at between 68-70% while his closest contender, Gallagher is in the teens and Casey is around 2%. I
@James Henehan: all varied out before Casey’s comments.
The people didn’t know we had a truth teller….
@Dave Harris: And if you read those results accurately you’d know that the polls were conducted before Peter Casey made his remarks, after that he shot up in popularity.
@Rachel O’ Meara: would ya go way outta that if someone gets elected president for calling tinkers trespassers we’re in some state as a population. I doubt he’d make 10%. Or I’d hope anyway.
@Dave Harris: I suppose a better prediction is to see the odds in Paddy powers on Friday, they won’t want to lose…
@Bilbo Baggins: Did I say who I was voting for? I just corrected another commenters claim that he was still at 2%. He has gained alot of support, he’ll definitely end up with more than 10%, judging by social media platforms, news comments sections, online forums and hearing people on the street talking it’ll be close.
@James Henehan: what kind of a person would vote for Liadh, she hasn’t a clue
@talksense: I was just putting up all the candidates to be fair. Although, I would sooner vote for Liadh than Gavin or Joan. One of the main reasons Liadh won’t get my number 1 is her Sinn Féin ties.
Ah MDH the queen wants her accent back
That’s enough make-up on Seán Gallagher Mrs. Doyle
Ní Riada, another lying champagne socialist
Gallagher is on some martyrdom effort lol .
Nobody wants a millionaire like Casey who represents the privileged elites in the Áras.
@PaulineSmith: no, they want a privileged millionaire who represents the left instead.
@PaulineSmith: Higgins is the richest of them all
@lisa duignan: LOL! Back to Low Babies for you, try counting up to 10 and then come back to us.
@PaulineSmith: but instead the want a millionaire like MDH!!! Go on, it’s time for a change,
People are forced to retire at 65, but this man wants a second bite at the cherry
I know who I’m voting for
@Mr Mystery: Don’t tell me. Casey #1. Derp Derp.
@PaulineSmith: I wish my granny spoke like you.
@Grotmaster: I feel sorry for your granny.
@PaulineSmith: my dear, where I am from, they don’t call them “Low Babies”
@PaulineSmith: I’m voting for the person I best see fit for the role, a person who will stand up and ask the questions that need to be asked and a person who has a proven track record of accomplishment in everything he does,
Why is MDH getting it so soft
@Eugene Conroy: hes just keeping his head down. Not reacting or interacting with the others at all
@Eugene Conroy: it’s simple they want him to stay…..
@Ann Morris Doolan: he did get asked the tough questions early on. But he’s just leaving the others to it at this stage.
@Eugene Conroy: because the luvvies at RATE want him to win
He is one of them
I’ll do the job for 40k a year and I’ll even pay for my own travel and doggie cleaning
@RockyRockStar: you should go on dragons den with that business plan
@Dermot Lane: turned me down because i turned up in the government jet
Is Micky D missing again tonight ???
Michael D is a real statesman and a great repersentive for Ireland. He seems to be the only one that understands what the job is about.. All the others shitting on about things they wouldn’t have anything to do with anyway.
You know what would demonstrate who is actually in the lead in this race??a journal poll ! I mean you have a poll for which type of tomato sauce people like. does the journal think this is not important enough to run one?
@Andy mc Laughlin: You think the journal is an accurate representation of voters in Ireland?
@Andy mc Laughlin: any poll carried out independently would be more accurate than those polls being offered at the minute. But I suppose that’s making the assumption that the journal is independent and impartial.
@Andy mc Laughlin: obviously not it seems to scare them otherwise they would have done it …
Oh my word. I genuinely did think Peter Casey was very Donald Trumpish……. now he’s going to appoint members of his family to important positions (his wife to the Council of State) if elected…..he has a similar Trumpishness on the issue of arms / neutrality and let’s not even go to ethnic minorities…I’m starting to think that he’s only involved for his entertainment value! Surely he can’t be serious.
@sinead foley-coleman: He says it as it is rather than pc bullshit.
@The Bull McCabe: he’s oddly quiet about how much he’d like to spend on arms tho Bull…. and presidency is all about pc and diplomacy… unless you’re Mr. Trump of course! Personally I would not want anyone representing the highest office in the land to be as bullish and aggressive as he is… be the holies we’d be at war with every second nation if Peter went off on a rant….. we’d need the other five to dig him out! Personally cannot wait for Friday to be over…. I’m losing the will
@sinead foley-coleman: He can’t spend anything on arms
@The Bull McCabe: I don’t believe he’ll have the opportunity to spend money on anything Bull… well only out of his own pocket in any case……it’s his ideas and attitudes on the arms that are a worry. Anyway each to his own Bull and we’ll all hopefully make an effort to use our vote on Friday…… that’ll be the deciding factor
@The Bull McCabe: The head of our defence forces can’t spend anything on arms? If you say so.
Is MDH still there ( where is the jet)
Must say I am impressed by Ni Riada. Won’t be a SF voter historically but she will get my No 1.
@Paddy Murray: even after saying 48k net is the average industrial wage??
@Paddy Murray: no she says €60k net is. That’s €100k gross. Plus 50k personal expenses.
Rather uninspiring stuff so far. The dragons offering nothing.
Michael D head and shoulders above the rest ( not literally obviuosly).
@garrett: He’s full of shite to be fair
@garrett: but it is, of course, very eloquent shite.
Casey will publish his expenses tomorrow? If he spent more than 50 quid I’d be surprised!
God what planet have you put Joan on
Duffy’s youth corp, sounds slightly….ominous
@DJ François: Blueshirtesque!
Casey number 1. I’m sick of all the bullshit. Casey tells it as it is.
Micky Ds jet is outside the grounds of RTÉ being refueled before flying him back the the Aras..
Casey Peter 1
Peter Casey has no chance of winning Friday’s election.
@Just Some Guy: we have hope…
Casey #1
@Just Some Guy: well the other 5 are being politically correct in order to get a well paid job
@Just Some Guy, so wrong:
It is really creepy the way Ni Riada keeps touching Michael D when she is talking to him.
@CrabaRev: Yes. # Michael D too
@CrabaRev: she’s stoned of her block and losing her balance over the Bob Marley she’s on
@CrabaRev: If a man touched a woman like that it would be classed as assault. You’d have Veronica telling us how evil men are.
@CrabaRev:
Very true.
I hadn’t seen much of her before, but she comes across really very badly. Creepy with the touching, condescending with some of her answers, dishonest and disingenuous with her replies on the HPV vaccine and the average wage question.
@CrabaRev: hasn’t that nutter “re branded” as the fly lady?
@CrabaRev: AKA as a liar, even if they weren’t allowed use the word.
Objectively, Ni Ríada putting in an impressive performance so far.
Not enough stuff on what they think the president sh3do or represent.
@DJ François: *should*
@DJ François: the presidents job is signing bills, meeting people at home and meeting people abroad. What’s to debate? It’s pointless.
@DJ François: she just got hammered on her ‘average industrial wage’ lie. Major faux pas.
@DJ François: she’s messed up badly on the salary debate. What she told Hotpress was an out and out lie
@DJ François: she had to admit twice tonight that she was incorrect previously
The media is very desperate to make this a mud slinging match. But its just not happening for them…
Maybe tonights the night….
@Dearbhla Russell: media are running interference for their chosen one.
@Dearbhla Russell: Watch Casey make a fool of himself like in the last two debates, he is an awful speaker, not Presidential quality.
@PaulineSmith: oh look a Bee that can type nonsense
@Stephen Watson: Stick to the sun-beds and driving around in your convertibles Chief, roysch!
@PaulineSmith: Don’t be jelly you oul wan
@PaulineSmith are you a fly in one of those caravans?
A deeply unequal society, MDH, repeats itself because of elitists like you.
Ironic that Peter Casey has said they cyber bullying is a scurge on the nation and hw will be working on tackling that issue if he is elected considering the absolute hatred and bullying of Travellers that’s going on all over social media. Also Ironic how he doesn’t pay a cent of Tax in the country considering he is a multi millionaire running for head office in the country.
@Davy Mc: What bullying of travellers? It’s the travellers that do most of the bullying. Nothing that Casey said was untrue in relation to travellers.
@Davy Mc: equality is the new racism
1984 doublespeak in 2018
@Davy Mc: Also, most travellers don’t pay tax at all.
Duffy is taking a leaf out of Casey’s book, he’s struggling to string a sentence together!
The Aldi add there is a great laugh with the old wan and old fella with glasses ,, I’d say they don’t talk at all when the camera is off them ,,!!!
Horror show
Mickey D try tries to give a straight answer. https://youtu.be/20lqowDNiFc
Let’s get it on!
One of the worst Presidential debates I’ve seen in a while
@Dwayne Jordan: wait till tomorrow’s one lol
@Dwayne Jordan: yes was very bad quality debate ,mainly because nearly all the same questions we have heard all week been trashed out again with the same answers.Really taught RTÉ would have done better than that, in fact Claire Byrnes one was much better in my opinion.
@Ann Morris Doolan: but what do you expected to discuss? It’s a ceremonial role for a figurehead with no real power.
Next up Micky D’s dogs to clarify the grooming bills for 2018 ,, ruff stuff after the break lads ,,
It’s embarrassing stuff. Petty bickering like children.
Casey #6 ‘Call for Limerick councillors to explain Peter Casey nomination after ‘racist comments’ https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/343211/calls-for-limerick-councillors-to-explain-peter-casey-nomination-after-racist-comments.html
@PaulineSmith: Anybody calling his comments “racist” only displays their own ignorance at the very definition of the term…
@PaulineSmith: “A LIMERICK Fine Gael councillor”. We need read no further.
@Mazza86: the only issue I have is that its a sweeping statement, if he said “most” then there’d be no critical leg to stand on, as factually most travellers do fall under his description, and I’d be very unhappy to be an honest traveller being swept in with the rest.
@Sean O’ Donovan: go to Rathkeale and see their houses
Hit like if you are embarrassed about tonight’s debate and the candidates that are on live tv tonight
@RockyRockStar:
Hit like? Seriously?
@Just Some Guy: ya
Their at the …Let me finish what I was saying stage now ,,!!!
Well, what a dull discussion with no new ideas and all for a totally pointless position/role, and as 3 of them are used to hearing ” For that reason…… I’m out”
What a terribly moderated and structured’debate’. If anyone was watching this in a hope that it would sway them, I think they’ll be let down. Absolutely no consistency and everyone allowed just shout over each other, playing one man upship
Debating what? How much money the winner will take needlessly from the taxpayer? all theyre doing is throwing shite at each other.. What a pile of b****cks
Sean Gallagher is from Cavan. Apparently.
What a load of rubbish that was. Five bluffers and Michael D.
On the last can of curling lads .. not happy
Bunty #1:)
have your say