Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly went head to head in their final debate last night, delivering an intense 70-minute exchange just days before the country votes for its next President of Ireland.
The showdown, moderated by Miriam O’Callaghan and Sarah McInerney, covered the full spectrum of issues that have dominated the campaign — from housing and neutrality to Ireland’s relationship with the EU. It also underlined the clear ideological contrast between the Fine Gael candidate and her Independent rival.
Catherine Connolly, the Galway TD who remains the favourite in opinion polls, opened the debate by insisting she would be “an independent President with an independent mind,” while accusing Humphreys of representing “more of the same” as a government-backed figure.
In response, Heather Humphreys argued that her ministerial background offered vital experience for the presidency, describing herself as a “centre ground candidate” who is “not to the far left or far right.” The line was widely read as a dig at Connolly, whose campaign has drawn support from left-wing parties.
Tensions flared when Humphreys accused her opponent of “speaking out of both sides of her mouth” for criticising banks that repossessed homes, despite once representing financial institutions in court during her legal career.
Connolly defended her record, saying she left her barrister work behind upon being elected to the Dáil, and argued that “successive governments” — not her — had caused the housing crisis by failing to impose an eviction ban. She also accused Fine Gael of “bringing politics to a new low” with that personal line of attack.
On foreign policy, Connolly reiterated her previous criticisms of the United States’ involvement in the Middle East and Germany’s growing military spending, saying the next President must “speak truth to power” and warning about “the increasing militarisation of Europe.”
Humphreys was then pressed by Miriam O’Callaghan for “accepting everything the EU says” without offering criticism. She pushed back, saying she has “raised concerns about overregulation for businesses” and that Europe “should have acted sooner in terms of Gaza.”
With just two candidates left in the race — following Jim Gavin’s withdrawal after a landlord controversy — the Prime Time debate was seen as Humphreys’ final chance to close the gap on Connolly before polling day on Friday.
Although Gavin’s name will still appear on the ballot, his exit has left the campaign focused squarely on the Fine Gael contender and the Independent frontrunner. Recent surveys suggest that around one in five voters remain undecided, leaving both sides scrambling to win over the remaining swing vote.
On the campaign trail today, Heather Humphreys will visit Cork and Clare, starting on South Mall before moving on to Mitchelstown’s Arts and Heritage Centre and finishing in Ennis. Catherine Connolly will spend the day travelling from Monaghan to Cavan and Athlone, wrapping up with Palestine supporters and volunteers in Mullingar.
With one final day of campaigning ahead, the race for Áras an Uachtaráin remains a two-woman contest — between government experience and independent conviction.
