The two candidates in the Presidential Election have clashed over the future of the Special Criminal Court with Heather Humphreys saying she supported it and Catherine Connolly calling for its abolition.
Speaking during a debate on Newstalk's Pat Kenny Show, Ms Humphreys also pointed to her opponent employing somebody convicted at the Special Criminal Court of gun crime.
Earlier this month it came to light that Catherine Connolly had sought to hire a former Éirígí member who had been sentenced to six years in jail by the Special Criminal Court for gun crime.
Responding to Ms Humphreys during this morning's debate, Ms Connolly said it was "simply unacceptable" for Ms Humphreys to raise the case of the woman to score a political point.
She said the woman left prison early, such was her rehabilitation record, and conflating that with her overall attitude to the Special Criminal Court was not acceptable.
Asked by Pat Kenny if it was a mistake to employ the woman, Ms Connolly said she did everything right and so did the individual who came highly recommended, and that no rules were broken.
Ms Humphreys said people are supposed to have garda clearance for staff going into the Dáil for work and the woman in question, who pleaded not guilty, was a risk and had access to TDs and Ministers.
Ms Connolly said she believed the Special Criminal Court should be abolished and she added that two Government reports had also set out serious concerns with the continuation of the court by extending emergency legislation.
However she added that the court was part of Irish law and, as president, she would uphold the law.
Ms Connolly said the country is at a juncture and needs a courageous president who will speak up on behalf of the ordinary people of Ireland.
"I believe I have the necessary characteristics for president given my track record and the various roles I have held," she said, while insisting that she does not have any policical prejudice.
Ms Humphreys said she would bring life and political experience to the job of president.
"As a credit union manager I saw first hand the challenges that people face," she said, "and I am a mother and grandmother who wants to see a unified compassionate Ireland where people are treated with dignity and respect."
Ms Humphreys said she respects US President Donald Trump's mandate but added that "you would never know what you are going to hear from him".
"His work on a ceasefire in Gaza must be credited," she added.
Ms Connolly did not say what she thought of Mr Trump but said she had to take hope from ongoing peace talks in the Middle East.
"However there is a cause for reflection when we consider that someone who funded Israel is now being proposed [as] a recipient for [the Nobel] peace [prize]," she said.
Humphreys canvassing in Dublin city centre
Ms Humphreys was canvassing in Dublin city centre this morning where she said she was "full of energy" and with over a week left, she said she is going to get her message out there to voters.
She said she is not promising perfection but she is promising "honesty".
"I will promise compassion, I will promise commitment and I promise service," she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Connolly is canvassing in Co Kildare today.
