The first leaders’ TV debate of the general election concluded with the politicians being offered a chance to make a pitch to voters. Here is what they said:
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said in the seven months he has been Taoiseach he had demonstrated the “energy and focus” he pledged to bring to issues affecting “our country and your lives”.
“This job is about delivering for you, your concerns are my priority. So Fine Gael has a plan to secure your future,” he said.
“You told me childcare is a problem – that’s why I will build more places and cap monthly costs. You told me children’s disability services are not where they need to be – that’s why we’ll cut waiting lists and expand services. You told me cost of living is worrying you – that’s why we’ll lower taxes and help you with your bills. And you told me you want housing sorted – that’s why we’ll put 40 billion euro into delivering 300,000 new homes.”
Fianna Fail leader and Tanaiste Micheal Martin said his party was presenting a “credible plan”.
Tanaiste and leader of Fianna Fail, Micheal Martin during the General Election leaders’ debate at RTE studios in Montrose, Dublin.
“Our country faces many challenges, and in a time of turmoil in the world, we must protect and advance our economy, and we have to take the urgent next steps to address the needs of the Irish people,” he said.
“We must get prices down and help families with the high cost of living. We must build more homes, do it faster and help people to buy or rent at affordable prices. We must support pensioners and invest in vital services like health, disability, education and childcare.
“We can do this, but it requires action and a credible plan.
“Fianna Fail’s plan shows exactly how we can protect what we all value and move our country forward together.”
Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said the election was the “opportunity of a lifetime”.
“You can elect a new government for working people, led by Sinn Fein,” she said.
Leader of Sinn Fein, Mary Lou McDonald during the General Election leaders’ debate at RTE studios.
“Housing is our number one priority, transforming health, delivering childcare at 10 euros a day, really tackling the cost of living, building Ireland’s future and Irish unity. We’re ready to implement these plans from day one.
“The biggest risk to your future is more of the same from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Let’s face it, 100 years is long enough.
“We’ll deliver a new government that’s on your side, but we can’t do this without you. The only way to get this new government is to vote for Sinn Fein.”
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman said his party had “delivered” in government.
“When we entered government into 2020 we promised to transform Ireland from a climate laggard into a climate leader, and we delivered on that promise,” he said.
Leader of the Green Party, Roderic O’Gorman during the General Election leaders’ debate at RTE studios in Montrose, Dublin
Mr O’Gorman added: “If you vote for us again, we’ll deliver even more, in particular, we’ll invest in public transport, 10 billion euro to make it cheaper, more reliable and safer.
“No party cares about public transport like the Green Party. The Green Party has delivered in government for the last four years, and if you entrust us with your vote, we’ll deliver even more.”
Labour leader Ivana Bacik said the election presented the “chance of a lifetime to transform our communities together”.
“We can build a sustainable Ireland that protects the environment, a fairer Ireland where every child has the best start in life, an equal Ireland which rejects division and values diversity,” she said.
Ivana Bacik of the Labour Party arrives for the General Election leaders’ debate.
“With your vote, we want to build homes, to staff our schools and hospitals, to adopt ambitious climate actions, to raise wages and to bring down your household bills.
“We will pass the Occupied Territories Bill, invest in public transport and deliver a public childcare system.”
Cian O’Callaghan, deputy leader of the Social Democrats, said it was not being straight with voters to promise huge investment in public services and also tax cuts.
“That’s why we’re being very clear in this election,” he said.
“Social Democrats will only enter a government which delivers 50,000 affordable purchase homes; the full implementation of Slaintecare (health reform); quality, public childcare; credible climate action; and a senior Minister for Disability. These are our deal breakers.”
People Before Profit-Solidarity leader Richard Boyd Barrett said “another Ireland is possible”.
“We’re a very, very wealthy country, but ordinary working people are not feeling it,” he said.
Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit-Solidarity arrives for the General Election leaders’ debate at RTE studios in Montrose, Dublin.
“They’re hammered, like housing and cost of living prices, with under-resourced and under-funded health services, expensive child care, and that’s because Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have always prioritised the interests of vulture funds, banks, speculators and big business.
“So we want to see a left government, an alternative to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael that will always stand with working people, with young people, with the vulnerable in our society, and who will stand with people like the Palestinians facing their horror that is being visited on them now, and, indeed, fight against moves by this government to undermine Irish neutrality.”
Aontu leader Peadar Tobin said the election offered a “real opportunity for change”.
“People recognise that only Aontu is holding this government to account,” he said.
Peadar Tobin during a press conference.
“Only Aontu opposed this government’s chaotic immigration policy. Only Aontu stood with the people against the failed referendums (on constitutional amendments), the censorship laws (hate crime legislation) and the increased tax and fuel. We are building a well-organised common sense alternative throughout Ireland.”
Independent Ireland leader Niall Collins said the debate had delivered more promises from the same parties that had “failed” voters “time and again”.
“The failures in housing, healthcare, immigration and cost of living show how disconnected the established parties are from working families,” he added.
Irish Right to Change leader Joan Collins said only a “left government” could end 100 years of either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail being in power and change Ireland into a “fairer, more equal republic”.