12/10/2011
Irish Presidential Candidates Win TV Debate
Ireland's Presidential candidates - including Stormont Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, (pictured) - are getting set for their next clash, with a live TV debate tonight following a radio debate yesterday that saw two of the candidates go head-to-head.
FM's The Last Word hosted a debate yesterday afternoon after which Independent Presidential candidate Mary Davis accused Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell of insulting volunteers with the Special Olympics.
Mr Mitchell said Ireland did not bring the Olympics to Ireland because we decided it was beyond us.
He then said we did bring "some Olympics", referring to the Special Olympics which were held here.
A spokesperson for Mr Mitchell said "he meant no disrespect". He added that Mr Mitchell has a sister with an intellectual disability and that many of his family had volunteered during the Special Olympics.
The debate was held in the Sugar Club in Dublin in front of a live audience.
McGuinness To Blame For 1916 Rising?
During the same radio debate Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness said that he wanted to be President of "all 32 counties" and that he did not want to subscribe to a "partitionist-style mentality".
He said it was wrong as an Irish citizen that he did not have a vote in the election.
Independent candidate David Norris said as a result of changes to Articles 2 and 3 of the constitution, it was not possible for the President to be president of all of Ireland. He said he would be the President of the 26 Counties, but he would, like President Mary McAleese, build bridges with the people in the North.
Meanwhile McGuinness addressed allegations, put to him at the last TV debate aired on TV3, that he was a member of the IRA longer after he claimed to be.
He said:"If people had the opportunity they would blame me for the 1916 rising".
The seven Presidential candidates will participate in another public debate on RTÉ's Prime Time programme this evening.
They also face a brace of questions from another source, on a new website for students called telluswhy.ie.
It is an opportunity for students to use a web forum to press the candidates on issues close to their hearts.
(LB/CD)
FM's The Last Word hosted a debate yesterday afternoon after which Independent Presidential candidate Mary Davis accused Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell of insulting volunteers with the Special Olympics.
Mr Mitchell said Ireland did not bring the Olympics to Ireland because we decided it was beyond us.
He then said we did bring "some Olympics", referring to the Special Olympics which were held here.
A spokesperson for Mr Mitchell said "he meant no disrespect". He added that Mr Mitchell has a sister with an intellectual disability and that many of his family had volunteered during the Special Olympics.
The debate was held in the Sugar Club in Dublin in front of a live audience.
McGuinness To Blame For 1916 Rising?
During the same radio debate Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness said that he wanted to be President of "all 32 counties" and that he did not want to subscribe to a "partitionist-style mentality".
He said it was wrong as an Irish citizen that he did not have a vote in the election.
Independent candidate David Norris said as a result of changes to Articles 2 and 3 of the constitution, it was not possible for the President to be president of all of Ireland. He said he would be the President of the 26 Counties, but he would, like President Mary McAleese, build bridges with the people in the North.
Meanwhile McGuinness addressed allegations, put to him at the last TV debate aired on TV3, that he was a member of the IRA longer after he claimed to be.
He said:"If people had the opportunity they would blame me for the 1916 rising".
The seven Presidential candidates will participate in another public debate on RTÉ's Prime Time programme this evening.
They also face a brace of questions from another source, on a new website for students called telluswhy.ie.
It is an opportunity for students to use a web forum to press the candidates on issues close to their hearts.
(LB/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 October 2011
Presidential Candidates For Debate In Irish
The seven Irish Presidential candidates are in preparation for their fourth TV debate during which they will answer questions posed in Irish - although a one-on-one debate between the two 'front-runners' has been dismissed.
Presidential Candidates For Debate In Irish
The seven Irish Presidential candidates are in preparation for their fourth TV debate during which they will answer questions posed in Irish - although a one-on-one debate between the two 'front-runners' has been dismissed.
11 October 2011
Presidential Candidates Set For Third Debate
Ireland's presidential hopefuls will go head to head later today for their third debate of the election campaign. Today FM's The Last Word is hosting the event at the Sugar Club on Dublin's Leeson Street. Presenter Matt Cooper will chair the debate, which will be broadcast live on the station from 4.30pm.
Presidential Candidates Set For Third Debate
Ireland's presidential hopefuls will go head to head later today for their third debate of the election campaign. Today FM's The Last Word is hosting the event at the Sugar Club on Dublin's Leeson Street. Presenter Matt Cooper will chair the debate, which will be broadcast live on the station from 4.30pm.
05 October 2011
Irish Presidential Candidates Clash Again
The Irish Republic's Presidential candidates clashed again last night in the second TV debate, which was aired on TV3. Martin McGuinness came under fire from fellow candidate Gay Mitchell, once again for his connection to the IRA, while the debate’s host Vincent Browne also attacked the Sinn Fein candidate. Mr.
Irish Presidential Candidates Clash Again
The Irish Republic's Presidential candidates clashed again last night in the second TV debate, which was aired on TV3. Martin McGuinness came under fire from fellow candidate Gay Mitchell, once again for his connection to the IRA, while the debate’s host Vincent Browne also attacked the Sinn Fein candidate. Mr.
13 October 2011
Dana May Ditch Irish Presidential Bid Over 'Malicious Claims'
The seven Irish Presidential candidates have last night taken part in their third TV debate with independent candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon taking the spotlight this time - to deny "false" allegations made against her family - and to hint she may withdraw if the issue escalates.
Dana May Ditch Irish Presidential Bid Over 'Malicious Claims'
The seven Irish Presidential candidates have last night taken part in their third TV debate with independent candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon taking the spotlight this time - to deny "false" allegations made against her family - and to hint she may withdraw if the issue escalates.
17 October 2011
Irish Presidential Candidate 'Rejects Poll'
Fine Gael's Irish Presidential candidate Gay Mitchell has discarded the findings of the latest opinion poll while fellow Labour candidate Michael D Higgins has rejected claims that he is too old to run for Aras. The Red C Poll published in Sunday's Business Post showed Mr Mitchell having dropped a further two points, since the last poll, to 8%.
Irish Presidential Candidate 'Rejects Poll'
Fine Gael's Irish Presidential candidate Gay Mitchell has discarded the findings of the latest opinion poll while fellow Labour candidate Michael D Higgins has rejected claims that he is too old to run for Aras. The Red C Poll published in Sunday's Business Post showed Mr Mitchell having dropped a further two points, since the last poll, to 8%.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.