Louise Burne: Presidential poll gives candidates a jolt, but better debate performance needed

All three candidates need to step it up on campaign trail

All three candidates headed out to RTÉ on Sunday to take part in the national broadcaster’s first debate of the campaign on The Week in Politics.

After a slow and boring start to the presidential campaign, the candidates appear to have finally woken up and realised that they are contesting an election.

After a sleepy start and a poor debate on Monday, independent candidate Catherine Connolly, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, and Jim Gavin of Fianna Fáil obviously did their homework and brushed up on their debating skills.