As part of a "Prime Time" special, the two began with statements explaining why they would be a better President than the woman standing beside them.
Humphreys seemed to stumble and get lost in her opening statement as she repeatedly stated that she would "bring experience" to the role.
Independent candidate Connolly seemed far more polished in her opening remarks, assuring viewers that she would take to the role with both "honour and humility".
Humphreys settled in after the opening remarks were out of the way as attention turned to Connolly’s time working as a barrister and whether or not she had represented banks in repossession cases.
Humphreys suggested that her opponent "would not answer the question". However, Connolly admitted that she had represented ‘credit institutions’, but could not go into specifics due to confidentiality reasons.
Later in the debate, Humphreys was unable to specify any moment in which she had spoken out against EU policy, while Connolly assured viewers that some of her outspoken positions would not be communicated in inappropriate settings as President. However, she did say that she would "speak truth to power" when appropriate.
Connolly was pressed on a controversial trip she made to Syria in which she encountered pro-Assad figures, including a militia leader accused of starving Palestinian refugees.
She insisted she had not been naive to participate in the trip.
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"There was no naivety on my part in relation to a dictatorship, the Syrian regime," she said.
"I’ve never had any doubts about the Syrian dictatorship, unlike countries that supported it."
Humphreys perhaps landed her strongest answer of the night when faced with the final question. Asked if she had any regrets over her political career, the Fine Gael candidate pointed to COVID-19 restrictions that kept family members from their dying loved ones in their final moments.
Humphreys said that they "were following medical advice" but should have "found a way around it".
Connolly’s answer was somewhat weaker as she pointed to the same incident but said that she had only initially supported the restriction before going on to blame the Government for its prolonged implementation.
With Connolly having essentially refused to accept fault for any of the controversies that have arisen around her (lack of clearance for Dail aide and the tax-funded Syria trip being just two), it was definitely a missed opportunity to show that she is willing to acknowledge her own fallibility.
You can watch the full "Prime Time" debate here:
Viewers' verdict
Reacting to the final debate, a large number of viewers seemed to be disillusioned by the two candidates on offer.
God help us all, how will we stick either of these two for the next 7 years? #Primetime #rtept
— Michael (@Mike96586580) October 21, 2025
"I’m sick of listening to the same questions over and over and over and hearing the same answers," one person said on X. "I could have went onto the debate and answered the questions myself."
Listening to the same answers to the same questions for the last two weeks #rtept pic.twitter.com/VlLOH64fgp
— Michael Fry (@BigDirtyFry) October 21, 2025
However, the majority seemed to be of the opinion that, given her lead in the polls, Tuesday night was all but game over and victory for Catherine Connolly seems assured this Friday.
“Ah shure lookit “
Game over
Will Humphrey’s still be in the studio after the break ? 😂 #rtept
— W Kerr (@WayneKerr56) October 21, 2025
Every Irish president in my lifetime has been a person of exceptional intellect.
Catherine would uphold that standard.#rtept
— Ronan Morris (@ronanmorris) October 21, 2025
One candidate is asked about the importance of an Ghaeilge, while the other struggles to string 7 words together.
Irish is our first language, it takes precedence in our laws. The President of Ireland should be able to speak it.#RTEPT
— Taylor (@taylormaccraith) October 21, 2025
Heather Humphreys' debating skills #rtept #Aras25 #PE25 #presidentialdebate pic.twitter.com/Lnjuxsm4vd
— declan o connell (@mousheen1) October 21, 2025
Catherine Connolly is the only person qualified on that stage tonight to be President of Ireland. #Aras25#RTEPT
— aidan donnellan (@aidandonnellan) October 21, 2025
Polymarket probabilities relating to #aras25 presidency after #rtept debate:
— Brian Flanagan (@BrianFlanagan1) October 21, 2025
Connolly: 94% (+3% *)
Humphreys: 7% (-3% *)
* Change from immediate pre-debate probabilities.#Aras2025 #Aras #TonightVMTV @rtenews @morningireland @RTE_PrimeTime pic.twitter.com/4l39u9xvCy
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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