Updated, Tuesday, 11.30
THERE ARE 17 days to go before Ireland goes to the polls and casts its votes to elect the next president.
The campaign may seem like it’s been underway for ages now – particularly when measured by the number of debates each candidate has participated in – but the nominations only officially closed less than two weeks ago.
Nonetheless, despite the multitude of various debates that have already taken place, there are still six (at least) still to go – meaning there are still plenty of opportunities for you to decide how to vote, if you haven’t already.
October 11 – Today FM/The Last Word – The seven candidates take to the Sugar Club on Leeson Street, Dublin for an intensive 150-minute dissection of their views. The debate, moderated by Matt Cooper, will include an hour-long live Q&A session with attendees, and will be broadcast live on Today FM, beginning at 4:30pm.
October 12 – Royal College of Physicians – The seven candidates attend a forum discussing employment as a key plank in restoring Ireland’s “social and economic integrity”. RSVP via the college itself.
October 12 - Barnardos – Six of the seven candidates (all but Dana, who has other engagements) assemble at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle at 10:30am to discuss their views on the future of children in Ireland. Attendance details can be found at the charity’s website.
October 12 – RTÉ Prime Time – Prime Time has already met the seven candidates, with Miriam O’Callaghan and Richard Crowley interviewing each of the seven. Now, the seven will return to the show to debate face-to-face. Events kick off on RTÉ One at 9:35pm.
October 15 - Spunout.ie – The youth-powered national charity holds a ‘Presidential forum’ in which all seven candidates discuss youth policy. Tickets by reservation via Spunout’s website.
October 18 – TG4 – A six-way debate (again, Dana has a prior engagement) in Baile na hAbhann will see candidates spar in a bilingual hour-long debate. Each candidate will make opening and closing statements in Irish, but will be permitted to speak either Irish or English in the 40-minute debate in between, so as to allow for their various abilities with an Gaeilge. The pre-recorded debate will be broadcast (with subtitles) at 7pm and again at 11.05pm.
October 24 – YouTube/Newstalk – Repeating the ‘Digital Debate’ formula of the election, Newstalk and Google team up to invite the public to submit questions via YouTube. The top-ranked questions will then be put to the seven candidates live on radio on the Lunchtime programme, which kicks off at noon.
October 24 – RTÉ The Frontline – In the last televised debate of the campaign, the seven candidates face off to be grilled by Pat Kenny just 40 hours before the broadcast moratorium kicks in.
Have we left out a debate? Let us know in the comments below.
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