McGuinness: Gallagher ‘up to his neck’ in Fianna Fáil

Presidential candidate Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin has gone on the attack against Independent Seán Gallagher accusing him of being "up to his neck in Fianna Fáil".

“There’s no doubt that some people would say Seán has been up to his neck in Fianna Fáil,” Mr McGuinness said during a live radio/online debate this afternoon hosted by Newstalk and Google.

During the debate, which took place at Google headquarters in Dublin and was moderated by Newstalk presenter Ivan Yates, Mr McGuinness accused Mr Gallagher of links to Fianna Fáil in one of the harshest attacks on the party during the campaign.

“Sean Gallagher’s party wrecked the economy, destroyed the economy, brought about mass unemployment and immigration,” Mr McGuinness said.

Mr McGuinness said that voters must decide whether they want a representative of an establishment party elected to the Aras.

“We have a very difficult budget coming up in December. €700m of the people’s money will be paid out to unguaranteed bond holders. The choice is very very clear,” he said.

“People can decide to continue with the same old, same old or they can vote for someone who represents a break from the past and someone who looks to new beginnings and who wants to stand by the ordinary people of Ireland at this very difficult time.”

Mr Gallagher said he has never been in denial about Fianna Fáil links.

The independent said he would be happy to accept votes from all supporters and drew comparisons with outgoing President Mary McAleese, who was the Fianna Fail candidate in 1997.

“I’ve never been in denial,” he said during the debate.

“This is not a party political election and nor should it be. We stand here as individuals.”

Mr Gallagher also said he was "unsure" about the issue of gay parents being allowed to adopt, saying he had not studied the research.

The issue of negative campaigning also came up during the discussion, with independent candidate Mary Davis describing it as having been a "very negative" campaign.

Labour’s Michael D Higgins said it was up to the public to look at different backgrounds and manifestos and warned that he believed about a fifth of voters remain undecided.

“I’ve no doubt at all in my mind that all the candidates are people who love Ireland in their own way. The issue is about who has a track record of turning vision into practical reality,” the Labour veteran said.

“Every single thing I did, from being a councillor right to a TD to a minister, was turned into a reality. That’s why I have such a solid core of voters.”

Mr Higgins said transfers from every source will be hugely important and he will secure them from all quarters.

He also deflected questions from Yates as to whether his age was a barrier to his performing the duties of the president, emphasising his "intellectual energy" and globetrotting travels.

Meanwhile Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell hit back at those in the media who thought he lacked charisma.

"Charisma doesn't provide jobs," he said.

"If you look at anything I've ever done I've been successful at it."

He also alluded to what he called "character assassination" on social media platforms.

On media coverage of the campaign, Mr Gallagher said he no longer reads the newspapers, while fellow independent David Norris said he had already received two newspaper apologies during the course of the campaign - without specifying what the apologies were for.

The issue of Dana Rosemary Scallon holding dual Irish and US citizenship also made its way into the discussion, with the former singer saying she believed it was "ery enticing to have a little bit of America in the president".

This afternoon’s debate was the penultimate of the campaign, with the candidates also set to appear on RTÉ television’s ‘Front Line’ programme tonight.

Voting takes place on Thursday.