Canvassing Across the Country Ahead of the Debate
As Ireland prepares for Friday’s presidential election, the two main candidates continue to canvass across towns and villages, engaging with voters and outlining their priorities ahead of the RTÉ debate. Independent candidate Catherine Connolly spent the morning in Ballybeg, Waterford city, meeting community groups and listening to local concerns. In Waterford, Connolly spoke with representatives from the Brill Family Resource Centre, underscoring her focus on social supports and community services as a pillar of her campaign.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys was in County Tipperary, walking along the main street in Cashel and visiting a range of local businesses, including a butcher, a boutique called Uptown Girl, a Credit Union branch, and the SuperValu supermarket. After her town stops, Humphreys headed to the Upperchurch Drombane GAA club, where she spoke to journalists about her vision and policy priorities for the presidency.
Security Rules and Fielding Questions
Humphreys did not shy away from addressing a recent controversy involving security clearances in Dáil Éireann. She asserted that rules are in place to govern access to the parliamentary complex and stressed the importance of Garda vetting for staff. “There are rules around access to Dáil Éireann. It’s very clear you must have Garda clearance before you can work in Dáil Éireann,” she said. “My staff had to be Garda vetted before, and this lady was coming in on a day pass. A day pass for six months. You can’t do that.”
The remarks come as the candidates sharpen their contrasts on governance, transparency, and accountability. Connolly, who is campaigning on her independent platform, has faced questions from voters and media about her approach to security and vetting. The two candidates have used their itineraries to emphasize their readiness to handle national duties from the presidency, with debate day looming.
Policy Threads: Rural Issues and Climate
Humphreys signaled continued support for rural pursuits, provided robust regulatory frameworks are in place. She noted that many controls and regulations exist to safeguard rural activities, and she affirmed her backing for these traditions while stressing the need for compliance and enforcement. “There are many controls and there are many regulations in place, and they have to be adhered to as part of any rural pursuit. But I do support ours,” she said in Tipperary.
Beyond rural life, Humphreys highlighted climate as a central theme should she win the presidency. She suggested that tackling climate change will require practical, implementable policies and a clear focus on environmental stewardship alongside economic stability.
What to Expect at the RTÉ Debate
The candidates are set to face off in a debate on This Week with David McCullagh on RTÉ Radio 1 at 1pm tomorrow, with the event also broadcast on the RTÉ News channel. Voters will be listening for specifics on security, social policy, rural development, and climate leadership as they weigh each candidate’s readiness for the presidency. The debate is expected to offer a sharper contrast between Connolly’s independent platform and Humphreys’ party-led experience, as both try to mobilize supporters and appeal to undecided voters in the final stretch before polling day.
Looking Ahead to Poll Day
With voting scheduled for Friday, 24 October, campaigns are intensifying as supporters rally around their preferred candidate. The weekend could be pivotal, with late polling data and post-debate impressions shaping final hours of campaigning. Voters are urged to consider how each candidate plans to advance national priorities—from security and governance to economic development and climate action—before casting their ballots.
