Race to the Aras: Neutrality and anti-immigrant flags dominate first presidential TV debate

"Independent, Catherine Connolly, has been the most comfortable and assertive in this debate, writes Mary Regan. She has stuck to her points and appeared most passionate and authentic in making them. Whether one agrees with them or not, she had policy positions on which voters can judge her. If Jim Gavin came into this in need of firing up his campaign, then he has given little away on his actual policies or why he is running."

"Whatever the question, he brought everything back to his record with defence forces service, membership of Taskforces and "managing big projects". But the Fianna Fáil candidate was uncomfortable under further probing or deeper scrutiny. He criticised Deputy Connolly's support for the Triple Lock, but - despite a lot of finger printing and hand waving - he didn't land any blow on her when it came to her foreign policy positions."

"Although she is the most experienced among them as a politician, Heather Humphreys appeared to be the most nervous. The Fine Gael candidate came across more as a minister, defending the government record with language around "no easy solutions" and "challenges" being met on issues such as housing or policing. She came into her own at the end of the debate on the unity question, when she spoke of being "a proud Ulsterwoman and proud Republican" and the need to break down barriers."

Catherine Connolly projected comfort, assertiveness and clear policy positions while remaining passionate and authentic. Jim Gavin repeatedly referenced his record, defence forces service and project management, but offered few concrete policy details and appeared uncomfortable under deeper scrutiny. The Fianna Fáil candidate criticised Connolly's Triple Lock support but failed to land substantive foreign policy challenges. Heather Humphreys, the most experienced politician present, appeared nervous and defended the government record using ministerial language about "no easy solutions" and "challenges". Humphreys spoke strongly on unity at the debate's end, invoking pride in Ulster identity and the need to break down barriers.

Read at Irish Independent