CONFIRMED: RTÉ to host series of candidate debates ahead of Irish Presidential Election

RTÉ has confirmed that a series of candidate debates will be held across their platforms as the Irish Presidential Election fast approaches. 

Across the next three weeks, the broadcaster will host a range of these debates, providing audiences with opportunities to engage with the messages of each candidate ahead of polling day on Friday, October 24. The extensive coverage will be provided across television and radio as well as online platforms.

Beginning this Sunday, October 5 on The Week in Politics, Áine Lawlor will be joined by Catherine Connolly TD, Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys live in studio to debate the issues facing Ireland's next president. The programme will air live on RTÉ One at 12 noon and again at 11:10pm that night.  

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RTÉ Radio 1 flagship programmes Drivetime, This Week and Morning Ireland have invited all candidates to take part in live on-air debates between October 7 and 19, as the campaign proceeds to elect Ireland's 10th president.  

RTÉ Prime Time will host the final major debate of the campaign on Tuesday, October 21, three days ahead of voting. Presenters Miriam O’Callaghan and Sarah McInerney will ask the important questions as voters decide on who to elect. The podcast team at Behind The News will also be recording a bonus episode from backstage on the night. 

RTE.ie, RTÉ News App and RTÉ's social media accounts will provide real time updates and capture video of key moments from the debates in live blogs with follow-up expert analysis from their political team.

All these debates will be available to stream live worldwide via the RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio Player. 

The election campaign coverage will also see news and current affairs programmes , including the Six One News, Today with Claire Byrne and News at One with Rachael English, broadcast a range of one-to-one interviews featuring the candidates. Along with this, there will be on-location broadcasts in several towns and cities along the campaign trail to hear the views of voters on the ground. 

In addition, a brand-new three-part series, The Katie Hannon Big Interview Live, will feature each of the presidential candidates in an in-depth programme at 7pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Through extensive reporting and analysis across TV, radio, and online in English and as Gaeilge, RTÉ plans to keep audiences informed on the latest developments and key issues of Presidential Election 2025, helping the public to make informed choices on polling day.