The leaders of Ireland’s three main political parties have clashed in their final TV debate before voting in the general election takes place.
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) and leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald took part in the RTE Prime Time debate.
The programme took place after a shock poll showed a huge surge in support for Sinn Fein ahead of Saturday’s election. The party topped the Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll for the first time, with 25% of voters saying they intended to vote for the party. Fianna Fail was second on 23%, with Fine Gael – in government since 2011 – lagging behind in third place on 20%.
It could be a seismic shift in Irish politics, although Sinn Fein is running too few candidates (just 42) to see them lead a new government, or have Mary Lou McDonald become Taoiseach.
As expected, both Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin focused attacks on Ms McDonald from early in the debate, with the Taoiseach accusing her party of being soft on crime, due to its opposition to the country’s non-jury Special Criminal Court, used to jail terrorists and serious criminals.
Read more via Sky News /RTE News /The Irish Times
Morning Briefing
Abela Dismisses Election Uncertainty Claims
Prime Minister Robert Abela has dismissed claims that uncertainty over the timing of the next general election is affec...
The European Parliament, together with EU citizens and MEPs, has awarded the 2026 LUX Audience Award to Spanish director Eva Libertad for her film Deaf. The prize reflects the Parliament...
Morning Briefing
Abela Dismisses Election Uncertainty Claims
Prime Minister Robert Abela has dismissed claims that uncertainty over the timing of the next general election is affec...
Updated 1150am
Malta’s Imports from China Hit Record High as Trade Ties Deepen: Malta has significantly increased its reliance on China, doubling imports over the past decade to a rec...
The European Parliament is moving closer to finalising its position on the EU’s next long-term budget, setting the stage for a key institutional milestone in shaping the 2028–2034 Multia...
EU lawmakers have approved new rules aimed at strengthening how failing banks are managed, extending protections to a wider range of institutions and depositors across the bloc.
The p...
In line with its mission to drive a truly digital Malta, GO plc is making giga-speed internet the entry point for all business customers, with six months completely free for new Business...
The International Monetary Fund cut its growth outlook due to Middle East war-driven energy price spikes but said the world was already drifting toward a more adverse scenario with much...
“A company’s workplace culture praised by management, needs to be taken with caution. But when the recognition comes directly from employees, that carries greater weight,” says JONATHAN ...
EU lawmakers have approved new rules aimed at strengthening how failing banks are managed, extending protections to a wider range of institutions and depositors across the bloc.
The p...
In line with its mission to drive a truly digital Malta, GO plc is making giga-speed internet the entry point for all business customers, with six months completely free for new Business...
“A company’s workplace culture praised by management, needs to be taken with caution. But when the recognition comes directly from employees, that carries greater weight,” says JONATHAN ...
Rights groups, including Amnesty International, say Iran carries out more executions per capita than any other country, and more in total than any nation except China, where reliable fig...
The United States has begun a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports, marking a sharp escalation in tensions following failed weekend peace talks in Pakistan. The move, ordered by Presid...
Thousands of Cuban security personnel have begun leaving Caracas after nearly two decades in Venezuela, as Washington ramps up efforts to dismantle the long standing alliance between the...
María Corina Machado is a prominent figure in Venezuela’s opposition. She has reported that one of her closest associates, Juan Pablo Guanipa, was abducted. This occurred mere hours afte...
Ukraine and Russia are moving towards a potential deal to end the war, Bloomberg News reported, citing the top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Kyrylo Budanov, a form...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday he welcomed the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, adding that Kyiv was ready to "respond in kind" if Moscow ceased strikes....
