RTE leaders' TV debate LIVE updates as parties set for nail biting finish in General Election 2024 race

The leaders of the three main parties contesting the 2024 general election are going head-to-head in one final televised debate on RTE on Tuesday evening.

If recent polls are anything to go by then it's fair to say that these final few days of canvassing and convincing could produce a nail biting finish once all votes have been counted.

Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris; Sinn Fein President, Mary Lou McDonald and Fianna Fail leader, Micheál Martin, will be determined to not put a foot wrong and convince undecided voters to cast their ballot in favour of their respective parties on Friday November 29.

More than 400,000 new voters have been registered and more than 200,000 currently registered voters have amended their details in the run-up to this general election - a sure sign that the people of Ireland know what is at stake and are determined that their collective voice be heard.

Tonight's leadership debate will be live on RTÉ One, the RTÉ News Channel and the RTÉ Player from 9.35pm.

Follow live updates below or see the latest headlines on our homepage.

Key EventsGet live updates direct to your phone18:2219:18Darragh Mc DonaghMartin rules out coalition with Sinn Féin

Adding some spice to tonight's debate, Micheál Martin once again ruled out going into coalition with Sinn Féin following Friday's election, insisting that this position was "policy-based" and nothing personal.

Share19:15Darragh Mc DonaghHealy-Rae on course to exceed quota by 10%

Here's one man who won't be worried about tonight's leader's debate. Michael Healy-Rae is on course to exceed the quota in Kerry by 10 percent, according to a TG4 constituency poll. His brother Danny is also set to take a seat.

TG4 poll for Kerry (Image: TG4)Share18:50Darragh Mc DonaghElection on a knife-edge

The stakes are high ahead of tonight's leader's debate, with the three largest parties neck-and-neck with three days to go until voting. The latest opinion poll has Fianna Fáil on 21%, Sinn Féin on 20%, and Fine Gael on 19% - down six points in less than two weeks.

Share18:25Andrew E QuinnSimon Harris admits RTÉ was offered 'statement'

Simon Harris has conceded that RTÉ was offered a “statement” with information about Fine Gael’s actions on disability to go alongside a viral clip showing him being confronted by a care worker.

The incident has been described as “chilling” by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.

The Fine Gael leader was in Kanturk, Co Cork, last Friday when he was approached by Section 39 worker Charlotte Fallon. During the exchange filmed in a supermarket, he was accused of dismissing her concerns about Government support for the disability sector. Ms Fallon became upset during the encounter. Mr Harris rang Ms Fallon on Saturday to apologise.

Read the full story here

Share18:22KEY EVENTGet live updates direct to your phone

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Share18:21Andrew E QuinnThis is where each leader will be standing

Ahead of tonight’s final campaign debate here is the draw for the order in which the Leaders’ will be positioned in tonight’s programme #Election24 #RTEPT pic.twitter.com/TG2MT4STTQ

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) November 26, 2024 Share