A lot of noise and long way to go to polling day

Loans, vaccines, a border poll, and the presidential salary were some of the opening topics juggled by candidates during a cautious but fast-paced opening debate in the race for Áras an Uachtaráin.

While not trading lethal blows, four of the candidates laid down markers for the long days of campaigning ahead, even as the main star of the race stayed out of the ring for the opening round.