The main takeaways from the first televised presidential debate

Independent TD Catherine Connolly, Fine Gael minister Heather Humphreys, and former Dublin football manager and Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin shared the stage for a 90-minute debate that touched on diplomacy, Gaza, defence spending, housing, and national identity.

The debate was a significant moment: it was the first time all three contenders appeared together before a national audience, each given a minute to introduce themselves to voters.

While no "knockout" blow was landed, the exchanges offered insight into the strengths, weaknesses, and strategies that will shape the campaign over the next month.

Here are the main takeaways…

Connolly – Confident and Clear

Catherine Connolly. Pic: Rolling News

Connolly, running as an independent, was the only candidate to open in Irish, underscoring both her fluency and her commitment to cultural identity.

She faced early scrutiny over her claim that Germany’s increased defence spending was tied to its economic interests — a statement that prompted moderator Kieran Cuddihy to remind her of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

 Despite that shaky start, Connolly grew stronger as the debate progressed.

She pressed Humphreys on the government’s handling of direct provision, accusing Fine Gael of repeated failures, and later challenged Gavin on his past remarks about Israel’s military objectives.

While she did not have a definitive line on a united Ireland during the closing exchanges, her clarity and conviction on most issues helped her stand out. For many observers, Connolly was the most effective communicator of the night.

Humphreys – Hampered by Government Record

Heather Humphreys. Pic: Rolling News

Humphreys entered the debate as the only sitting Cabinet minister, a position that gave her name recognition but also tied her closely to Fine Gael’s record in government.

She leaned on her campaign theme of women "holding things together", echoing her launch speech in Monaghan, but struggled to avoid being drawn into defending coalition decisions.

Questions on defence spending, crime in Dublin, and housing left her on the defensive.

At one point, she hesitated when asked about the Occupied Territories Bill, initially musing about its impact before confirming her support even if it carried economic costs.

While her delivery was steady, Humphreys found it difficult to project an independent presidential vision while continually tethered to her party’s record in office.

Gavin – Still Finding His Feet

Jim Gavin.

For Gavin, the debate was a trial by fire.

The former Dublin GAA manager had never taken part in a live political broadcast before, and while his delivery was occasionally clumsy, with some stumbling over words and overuse of hand gestures, he exceeded expectations.

He sought to position himself as a "unity candidate," stressing determination, teamwork, and positivity. Yet his decision to directly challenge Connolly early on, warning that her defence policies would endanger Irish peacekeeping missions, was a bold move that risked backfiring.

Connolly’s visible rejection of his claims neutralised much of the attack.

Gavin also diverged from Fianna Fáil’s official stance by calling recent immigration levels "unsustainable," highlighting the balancing act he faces between appealing to voters and remaining aligned with party policy.

On Gaza, his insistence that Israel was committing war crimes was clear, but he avoided directly answering Connolly’s pointed question about when he believed Israel had achieved its military targets.

Sharp Exchanges but No Defining Blow

Last night’s debate had plenty of pointed exchanges but no defining moment. Connolly challenged Humphreys on direct provision, Humphreys grappled with her own party’s record, and Gavin took risks by confronting both rivals.

Instead of scoring points off each other, the candidates largely prioritised articulating their own messages. This absence of a "killer blow" may suit Connolly, whose consistency allowed her to build credibility, while Humphreys’ defensive stance and Gavin’s uneven delivery left them more vulnerable.

While all three endured tricky moments, Connolly emerged as the night’s strongest performer. Humphreys, despite her experience, struggled under the weight of government failures. Gavin showed promise as a fresh voice, but with limited political polish.

With a month of campaigning to go, the first debate confirmed that the presidential race remains open — but it also marked Connolly as the candidate best able to seize the moment.

Watch the first Irish presidential debate here: 

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.