Leaders' debate verdict: A tetchy Harris allows Martin and McDonald go toe-to-toe

The Taoiseach entered the debate on the back foot due to the fallout from his viral interaction with care worker Charlotte Fallon in Cork last week

Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, and Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris at the end of the final TV leaders' debate on Friday. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Simon Harris needed to pull a rabbit out of a hat.

In the end, there were no rabbits and no hats to be found during Tuesday's leaders debate, as a tetchy yet passive Taoiseach allowed Micheál Martin and Mary Lou McDonald go toe-to-toe on housing, the economy and other issues.