The final Presidential debate took place last night on Primetime and, as expected, it was a bit of a mess.
Four candidates, Liadh Ní Riadh, Peter Casey, Sean Gallagher, and Gavin Duffy came hard for Miggeldy over the current President taking a jet from Dublin to Belfast. Always a good Samaritan, Joan Freeman urged the panel to move away from discussions about spending and to outline their plans for Presidency but her pleas were ignored. However, the public had a lot to say over Higgins being in the firing line:
Out of seven years of service the only thing they think can damage Michael D is a fucking flight to Belfast #rtept
— Mallow News (@MallowNews) October 23, 2018
Next they’ll be grilling Michael D on how much he was paid on Postman Pat over the years #rtept pic.twitter.com/md9sYmt9iQ
— Philip Bagley (@Philip_Baggers) October 23, 2018
Lads, the President doesn’t make his own travel arrangements. This is not a scandal. Ye are desperate. #Aras18 #rtept
— Emma B?rns (@betaburns) October 23, 2018
Imagine being 50 years in politics and the only thing your opponents can find on you is that you once got flight when you probably should have taken a car #rtept
— Michael Kerrigan (@mkgalway) October 23, 2018
After Peter Casey was grilled on his comments about the traveller community, Liadh Ní Riada came under fire for comments she made in 2016 about the HPV vaccine. Riada said at the time the vaccine didn’t ‘inspire confidence’ but has since changed her mind. Liadh Ní Riada and Michael D Higgins broke into a heated debated as Gaeilge and Twitter collectively shook – yes, it was like watching two parents fight on the sidelines of a camogie match in Gaeltacht Connemara:
My favourite part of the #RTEPT #Aras18 debate so far was when Michael D and Liadh Ní Riada went off at each other as gaeilge and none of the other candidates had a clue what they were talking about.
— John Boyne (@john_boyne) October 23, 2018
Surely having the ability to speak Gaeilge should be a prerequisite of the office of Uachtarán na hÉireann ? #rtept
— Mairéad Ní Chuaig (@MaireadNiChuaig) October 23, 2018
They’ve broken out the Gaeilge. It’s senior fucking hurling now lads #Aras18 #rtept
— Jennifer Canesten♠️ (@Jenni4Canesten) October 23, 2018
#rtept casey just believe in himself. pic.twitter.com/wx5TF0fywA
— Eileen Ní Fhloinn (@Love1solidarity) October 23, 2018
Gallagher’s excuse for not appearing in all of the televised debates was timid but explained that he had no say on recent referendums including the same-sex or Eight amendment:
Sean Gallagher explaining why he stayed out of the debates is like my 10 year old explaining how he managed to lose his soccer kit between his bedroom and the washing machine #rtept
— Jennifer O’Connell (@jenoconnell) October 23, 2018
Every time @LiadhNiRiadaMEP over-pronounces the word “uachtaráin” a stone wall in Connemara falls down #rtept #Aras18
— Kayte O’ Malley (@_intoxikayted) October 23, 2018
What is clear after the debate the Dragons, Gavin, Peter, and Sean have failed to impress the Irish public. Sean is a landlord, Gavin didn’t say a lot to impress anyone and Peter believes Ireland should invest in their military:
These men slate people on Dragons Den for having a poor pitch. They have made a show of themselves to date. So for that reason, I’m out. #VoteMickyD #rtept
— Laurence Kinlan (@laurencekinlan) October 23, 2018
Dragon’s Den was paid for by a chunk of the TV licence. The welfare state strikes again #Rtept
— Glenn Fitzpatrick (@glennthefitz) October 23, 2018
You are all the Weakest Link, goodbye #rtept #Aras18 pic.twitter.com/2uCyjOANwe
— Kieran O Malley (@GalwayPlayer) October 23, 2018
Whatever happens, it looks like we’re in safe hands with Miggeldy for another seven years:
I’m not watching the #rtept #Aras18 debate. I thought long and hard about this, and literally the only thing MDH could do to lose my vote would be to whip off his mask and reveal himself to be Sean Gallagher.
— Peter KavanAGH! Real Monsters! (@TheKavOfficial) October 23, 2018
