The Taoiseach and the Fine Gael leader went head-to-head in the party leaders' election debate on RTÉ television last night.
It ranged over topics such as crime, health, ethics, the North and the economy in discussions that became heated at times, but which commentators believe, saw no major errors by either Bertie Ahern or Michael Noonan.
The televised debate was the first time the two candidates for the job of Taoiseach came face-to-face during this election campaign. According to viewer figures released this morning, 835,000 people watched the debate last night; 1.2 million tuned in at some point.
While Bertie Ahern stressed his government's plans for the future, as well as his record, Michael Noonan attacked what he claimed were missed opportunities over the past five years. Mr Ahern hit back on the economy, dismissing Mr Noonan's claims of a black hole in the public finances as "nonsense".
Both men were asked to identify the qualities they could bring to the job: Mr Noonan claimed he could be more resolute, more careful in planning, and more compassionate. Mr Ahern claimed the ability to listen to the problems of people when it came to formulating policy.
Both sides have claimed victory, but most commentators feel Mr Noonan failed to deliver a killer punch on the Taoiseach, as both men spent most of the debate talking over each other. But at this late stage in the campaign, it may make little difference.
