Selected quotes from the first full presidential debate broadcast on RTÉ's News at One earlier today
"I want to open the Áras to our unionist brothers and sisters" Martin McGuinness
"I am tempered steel. I have been through the fire" Senator David Norris
"Ireland's future will not happen to us. We've got to go out and create it" Séan Gallagher
"We need hope. We need a leader. We need somebody that can help build self-confidence" Mary Davis
"I have the stamina and the energy...I'm running a very rigorous campaign" Michael D Higgins
"Members of the public told me they wanted a wider choice in the election" Dana Rosemary Scallon
"The President is on his or her own. You step up to the plate and take responsibility" Gay Mitchell
"We would have different views but Pope Benedict shares certain things in common with me...Pope Benedict has put his foot in it once or twice and got slapped and I share that experience with him." Senator David Norris
"I would like the Áras to be a very open home. In fact, I would be interested in changing the name to Áras na Daoine" Mary Davis
"My track record as a peacemaker is there for all to see" Martin McGuinness
"I'm sure I'm probably the only candidate who ever had their own herd number" Séan Gallagher
"I will not just be the spokesperson for the Labour Party. I will be the spokesperson for the all the Irish people Michael D Higgins
"I have the experience locally and internationally to put my shoulder behind the wheel" Gay Mitchell
"I'm a very fast learner" Dana Rosemary Scallon
And a few from debate chairman Sean O'Rourke...
"We've all had our picture taken with Nelson Mandela" to Martin McGuinness
"You ran like a scalded cat" to Senator Norris on not taking questions from the press after securing the Dublin City nomination yesterday