People in the Republic of Ireland have "a lot of work to do to get to know neighbours" in Northern Ireland, presidential candidate Jim Gavin said, as he questioned whether the "time is right" for a poll on unification.
Mr Gavin made the comments while participating in a live television debate on RTÉ's The Week in Politics with Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys.
He said: "I’m not sure if the time is right. We’ve a lot of work to do with the north of Ireland."
Ms Connolly said she would like to see a referendum during her tenure if elected president, commenting: "It has to be done by consent, with respect for all communities and all traditions."
Ms Humphreys said she had "a unique understanding of both traditions" in Northern Ireland.
"Nobody knows better than me there are deep divisions in Northern Ireland, we have to deepen the understanding - that takes work.
"The Áras has been a safe place for those conversations and I will continue the work of others, of Mary McAleese."
During the debate, the candidates were also pressed on various controversies which have emerged through the campaign.
Mr Gavin has said he is looking into reports he owes a former tenant €3,000, but that he did not have "all the information" about the matter.
Ms Connolly said she "did not know anything" about reported garda surveillance of a woman she worked with who had previously been convicted of firearms offences.
She sought the help of a woman who was sentenced to several years in jail after being found guilty by the Special Criminal Court for possession of firearms and ammunition more than 10 years ago.
After serving more than four years, the former Éírigí member was shortly thereafter recruited by Ms Connolly upon her release to work on a committee on the Irish language.
Ms Connolly criticised media coverage by saying the woman’s privacy had been "transgressed" as she reiterated her support: "I absolutely admire this person. This person was one of the small success stories of the prison system, full rehabilitation, a change in her life completely."
She said "no rules were broken here" and that the woman had made a full declaration.
Mr Gavin, who is the Fianna Fail candidate, said he accepted that people were entitled to a "second chance" but said Ms Connolly showed a "lack of judgement" by signing the woman in to Leinster House with day passes.
Meanwhile, Ms Humphreys has said she did not oppose drink-driving reform at Cabinet.
It comes after former transport minister Shane Ross said Ms Humphreys opposed the measures before Cabinet agreed to the proposals and they were voted into law.
She said: "I did not oppose it at Cabinet - and Cabinet is confidential - and that’s the bottom line here, and I’m not going to breach that confidentiality.
"I did not oppose the legislation. I voted for it, as I said, not once but twice."
She added: "You should not be drinking and driving, and that is it. End of story."
Meanwhile, a new poll suggests a sizeable lead for Ms Connolly, putting her on 32%, Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys on 23% and Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin on 15%.
However, two-and-a-half weeks out from polling day on 24 October, there are a large number of undecided voters at 31%.
The Ireland Thinks Sunday Independent poll was conducted by text on Thursday and Friday with 1,430 respondents.
The margin of error is plus or minus 2.6%.
The findings suggest that the combined backing of all the left-wing parties in the Oireachtas has given Ms Connolly a major boost in support.
On transfers, the poll suggests that Ms Humphreys would get 60% of Mr Gavin's second preferences while Ms Connolly would get 24%.
Later today, Ms Connolly will canvass in Dublin along with the party leaders of Sinn Féin, Labour and the Social Democrats, while Heather Humphreys will also be meeting voters in the capital.
Additional reporting Sandra Hurley
