Eimear throws splash of colour among the grey men

The leaders of the three main political parties were in Galway yesterday to take part in another sideshow of the general election campaign – the third leaders’ debate which took place in TG4 studios in Baile na hAbhann.

It was an historic occasion. Not just because it was the first three-way leaders’ debate to screen on Irish television; or because it was the first ever such event to take place outside of the pale; or because it was the first to be conducted in our native tongue.

It was historic also because it was our first televised leaders’ debate where someone other than balding and/or greying middle aged men in dark suits appeared on our screens as moderator or participant.Presenter, Nuacht TG4′s chief newscaster, Eimear Ní Chonaola decked-out in a stylish purple blouse, was last night’s clear winner, so.

The debate was recorded at 11am, and four translators had until 6.30pm yesterday evening to decipher what was said and put subtitles on it in time for screening on TG4 at 7pm.

The three leaders arrived separately amidst a media scrum where Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, Labour leader Éamon Gilmore and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny were quizzed about the latest opinion poll, which contained good news for the latter and not so good news for the former two.

TG4 staff remarked on the amount of Gardaí present for security but there was twice the number of television cameras and manual cameras – one filming the leaders driving in; one filming them getting out of their cars and walking up the awaiting reporters; and at least half a dozen filming and clicking in the media scrum.

Kenny, the man who appointed a TD who literally cannot speak Irish as his frontbench party spokesperson on Gaeltacht Affairs, was the last to arrive. The most fluent Irish speaker of the trio proudly told reporters he learned his Irish in a Coláiste Samhraidh in the Connemara Gaeltacht – later he faced the charge that his policy for the Irish language will destroy those Coláistí.

See full story and six pages of election coverage in this week's Connacht Tribune.