Fourth televised debate broadcast on TG4

The seven presidential candidates took part in a bi-lingual debate broadcast on TG4 this evening.

The fourth televised debate of the campaign saw the candidates discuss the future of the Irish language, giving their thoughts on the celebrations for the anniversary of 1916 and discussing the prospect of changing the national anthem.

Independent candidate Sean Gallagher said he would like to see a new anthem to reflect a new Ireland.

“To make it less militaristic – I think it needs to be modernised,” he said. “I think it was written at a time that different to where we are now, and I would certainly like to see that it could be sung North and South.”

Meanwhile Mr Gallagher clashed with rival Senator David Norris over the former’s membership of Fianna Fáil.

Senator Norris accused Mr Gallagher of failing to raise important issues with the party leadership when he was a member of its national executive.

But Mr Gallagher said he resigned from the party because he felt the hierarchy had moved away from the grassroots.