Martin shows clearest command of detail and destroys Kenny’s 5-point con

Tonight Micheál Martin clearly won the debate on all of the major issues.

Over 90 minutes Enda Kenny tried to keep to a script but failed to actually defend his policies when challenged. He left unanswered strong attacks on the 5-point plan he has based his entire campaign on. He could not say where his €6.5billion in spending cuts would fall, could not defend his ‘Dutch model’ health system and was forced to admit that he is hiding tax increases under other headings.

Just like his 2007 ‘Contract for a Better Ireland’, Enda Kenny has based his election on a gimmick and this has blown up in his face.

As for Eamon Gilmore, he failed to recover from his false assertion concerning the banking situation in 2008 and constantly reverted to attacks.

In contrast, Micheál Martin was able to deal with all of the issues comprehensively and lay out plans which have withstood the full scrutiny of the campaign.