Race to the Aras: Latest debate sees Connolly warn of 'politics of fear', Humphreys say rival 'insulted allies'

"I have been pro-business all my life. My father was a qualified plasterer and then became a small builder. I fully understand the business side. "I'm absolutely pro-European. Asking questions of the military industrial complex and the direction that the compass is going in Europe, it's not the same as anti-European. I'm a committed European and a committed European asks questions."

"You've managed to insult our allies. You've insulted Germany, you've insulted France, you've insulted the UK, our nearest neighbour, you've insulted the US. "That doesn't go without consequences. If you're a president of this country, you have to meet other leaders and other heads of state, and how are you going to speak to them? How are you going to talk to them?"

Catherine Connolly accused opponents of using a 'politics of fear' against her and rejected claims that she had insulted Ireland's allies. Heather Humphreys said Connolly had insulted Germany, France, the UK and the US and warned that such comments would hinder presidential diplomatic engagements. Connolly defended her pro-business credentials with a family small-business background and asserted her pro-European stance while saying questioning military-industrial directions is not anti-European. Two women remain the only presidential candidates after other hopefuls failed to secure nominations and Jim Gavin withdrew. Recent polls place Connolly ahead of Humphreys.

Read at Irish Independent