Paul Hosford: Refreshing to hear General Election debates about policies and not personalities

In Clondalkin, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald found a voice worth hearing

(lef-t right) Pearse Doherty, Eoin O Broin, Mary Lou McDonald and Mark Ward launch Sinn Féin's housing proposals in Clondalkin, Dublin, on Tuesday. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

In the throes of a general election campaign, there can be a tendency in politics and media to focus on the horse race.

Yes, policy is put under the microscope, but attention is often more focused on the punch and counter-punch, the Punch and Judy show. With a three-party coalition looking to separate itself as individuals like the solo efforts of a boyband, there has been plenty of bickering to go around.