WITH JUST OVER two weeks to go until polling day, Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly have participated in the first head-to-head debate of this presidential election. 

It was a measured affair, with both candidates taking the occasional swipe at each other but no major election-defining moments.

Hosted by RTÉ Radio One’s Drive Time, both candidates were grilled on their political backgrounds, why they believe they should be president, and what each of their party pieces are. 

Here are the four key moments:

‘That’s what Chamberlain said!’ 

During a discussion on foreign affairs, both candidates were grilled on their positions on Gaza and Israel; the Irish Defence Forces; and Russia and Ukraine. 

Connolly was given the final word for the section and said: 

“I think we need to use our voice for peace in the world. We need to speak truth to power.” 

Humphreys interjected at this point to say: “That’s what Chamberlain said!”.

Her remark was a reference to the declaration made by British prime minister Neville Chamberlain in 1938 following the Munich Agreement. 

Chamberlain said the agreement signalled “peace for our time”, a phrase that took on a tragic irony after Germany invaded Poland less than a year later, leading to World War II.

Connolly ignored Humphreys’ interjection and later denied that she was echoing Chamberlain. 

“I am echoing the people of Ireland as I go around the country. I am echoing what is set out in our Constitution for the peaceful resolution of conflict. I am echoing the values that we hold dear” she said.

One of Humphreys’ strongest lines of the debate came when she said: 

“Do you want a president who hasn’t fallen out or insulted our allies? Do you want a president that won’t let you down whenever they go abroad on trade missions?”

Connolly hit back and said that the comments made by Humphreys were ”scurrilous”.

”You’ve insulted Germany, you’ve insulted France, you’ve insulted the UK,” Humphreys replied.

Hypothetical employee

Both candidates were questioned on what has emerged as one of the key issues in the presidential election today — Connolly’s response when asked, hypothetically, if she would hire a person convicted of rape.

Fine Gael hit out at Connolly for saying she would have to “reflect” on the question. She later said no, she would not hire a person on the sex offenders list.

Explaining her rationale during the debate this evening, Connolly said her hesitation in response to the question initially was because it was framed in the context of rehabilitation.

Connolly said she has “stood up for women” during her political and non-political life.

She said her record is “second to none” in relation to violence against women and criticised the Government’s record.

“I spent all my political life in Dáil Eireann standing up for women,” she said.

Humphreys denied Fine Gael had played politics with the issue and said:

“Well, all I can say is, if any woman in this country was asked if a convicted rapist should be employed in Aras an Uachtarain, I don’t think it would take them 24 hours to answer whether they should or they shouldn’t.” 

Connolly said this was “absolutely disingenuous”. 

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Irish Unity

A significant portion of the debate was given to a discussion on Northern Ireland. 

Humphreys said she is committed to working with both communities in Northern Ireland.

She said she wants to build on the work that Mary McAleese did on building bridges and trust.

Asked how she would persuade unionists to favour a united Ireland, Humphreys (who is a protestant) said:

“I would say to them, Look at me. I am the perfect example of living in a country from a minority tradition.

“I got an opportunity. This country made me what I am. It has given me everything I have.”

Connolly said she would “absolutely love” to see a united Ireland in her tenure if elected president, but that if that wasn’t possible, she would like for the groundwork to at least be laid.

Party piece

In a light moment to end the debate, the candidates were asked if they have a party piece. 

Connolly was asked if her football ‘keepie uppies’ were hers or if she has another one. She responded: 

“My disappointment over what I call solos, and ye call keepie uppies, is I only managed about 10. I used to be able to do 100.” 

Asked what her party piece is, Humphreys said: “Well I don’t really have any party pieces.”

Asked if she has any hidden talents, she said her best skill set is listening and that she is a “people person”.