Presidential candidates Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly have clashed on their position on the Triple Lock and relations with European nations during the latest presidential debate.
In the debate, Ms Connolly rejected claims from Ms Humphreys that she is not pro-business or pro-Europe, and described allegations that she had insulted allies of Ireland as "inaccurate".
Meanwhile, Ms Connolly said the triple lock is "at the core" of Irish neutrality with Ms Humphreys questioning the mechanism that gives the UN Security Council a veto on the deployment of Irish troops abroad.
During the debate, Ms Connolly claimed a "politics of fear" is being used against her after Heather Humphreys said she has "legitimate questions to answer".
The candidates were speaking on a presidential debate on RTÉ's This Week programme, moderated by David McCullagh.
Ms Humphreys accused Ms Connolly of insulting allies of Ireland, but Ms Connolly insisted in response that she is a "committed European".
Watch: Connolly criticises 'politics of fear'
Regarding her commitment to promoting business, Catherine Connolly said: "I have been pro-business all my life. My father was a qualified plasterer and then became a small builder. I fully understand the business side.
"I’m absolutely pro-European. Asking questions of the military industrial complex and the direction that the compass is going in Europe, it’s not the same as anti-European. I’m a committed European and a committed European asks questions."
Ms Humphreys said: "You’ve managed to insult our allies. You’ve insulted Germany, you’ve insulted France, you’ve insulted the UK, our nearest neighbour, you’ve insulted the US.
"That doesn’t go without consequences. If you’re a president of this country, you have to meet other leaders and other heads of state, and how are you going to speak to them? How are you going to talk to them?"
Ms Connolly said: "There were so many things said there that I’ve insulted people. I don’t recall ever insulting anybody in my life."
She added she "would hope" Russia would withdraw from parts of Ukraine it has occupied since 2014 as part of a future peace agreement.
"Obviously, you can’t invade a sovereign country, but at some stage, sense has to prevail," she said.
A Business Post/Red C poll, carried out from 1 October to 7 October, suggests Ms Connolly has a lead, puting her on 36% with Ms Humphreys on 25% and Jim Gavin on 12%.
Mr Gavin withdrew from the race on the evening of Sunday, 5 October.
Humphreys says Ivan Yates has nothing to do with her campaign
Meanwhile, Ms Humphreys said that broadcaster Ivan Yates has nothing to do with her campaign.
She added that she cannot be held responsible for what he says.
Earlier this week, Mr Yates in his podcast said Fine Gael and the Humphreys' team should embark in a smear campaign against Catherine Connolly.
Watch: 'Ivan Yates has nothing to do with my campaign' - Humphreys
"Ivan Yates has about as much to do with my campaign as the same way that Joe Brolly has to do with Catherine's campaign," she said.
Mr Brolly denied that a lewd gesture he made during a podcast was aimed at "presidential candidates" after Heather Humphreys described it as "very misogynistic".
'Triple Lock at core of our neutrality', says Connolly
Responding to questions about Irish neutrality, Catherine Connolly said there should be referendum about the removal of the Triple Lock.
"Triple Lock is at the core of our neutrality. Neutrality is one of the most important policies that we have.
"It should be used proactively so that we can bring peace as best we can in the world.
"My role as President would be to look at every piece of legislation that comes before me for one specific purpose to see is it in compliance with the Constitution.
"I would look at that and take the expert advice from the Council of State and make up my mind about that and the only option open to me would be to refer the matter to the Supreme Court for their decision," Ms Connolly said.
Heather Humphreys said she "fully supports" Ireland's neutrality.
She said that "Ireland can't send peacekeepers to other countries" without the approval of the UN, which countries on the Security Council can veto.
Ms Humphreys added that she thinks the State is "mature enough to make our own decisions".
"What I am saying is should we have to ask Russia or China, or the US, or any other country that is on the UN Security Council, do we have to get their permsision so that we can send our peacekeeping forces on peacekeeping missions?"
Connolly urges Govt to prepare for unity, Humphreys champions reconciliation role
Catherine Connolly said that if she wins the election, she would use the role to speak to every community on the island of Ireland to advance the cause of Irish unification.
Ms Connolly also urged the Government to start preparing for unity, calling for a green paper on the matter.
"I think the Good Friday Agreement has set the framework and the various cross-border infrastructures that have been set up are working very well.
"In addition, Article 3 of the Constitution sets out that it's the firm will of the Irish people, with consent and with respect for all diversity and all different communities, that we would have a united Ireland.
"I think we need to prepare for that," she said.
Ms Connolly said her first visit as president, if elected, would be to the north of Ireland.
Ms Humphreys, meanwhile, said she is "uniquely placed" to promote reconciliation on the island.
She said she wants to build on the work of former president Mary McAleese in "building bridges" with Northern Ireland.
Ms Humphreys said she has a "deep understanding" and added "we need to build trust in Northern Ireland, because there is a lot of mistrust there".
"We need to also educate people right across this country on the different traditions that we have," she added.
Additional reporting PA
