The Taoiseach said the government had presided over a sharp drop in crime. More gardai had been recruited. An additional 1,200 jail places had been created. An end had been put to the 'revolving door' prison system.
Street crime remained a problem and the government had introduced a number of "draconian schemes" to make the streets safer. But more needed to be done. Fianna Fail had pledged to recruit an additional 2000 gardai.
Mr Noonan said the government had failed to fulfil its 'zero tolerance' law and order policy. The concept was imported from New York but while it had brought palpable improvement to that city, its influence in Ireland had been minimal. After five years of Fianna Fail-led government, young men and women were afraid to walk the streets. City centre streets had become virtual no-go aread after dark. Violent crime had increased by 130 percent since 2000, Mr Noonan said. He accused the Taoiseach of deliberately manipulating garda figures to put a false gloss on the government's law and order policy. .
The Taoiseach disputed Mr Noonan's claim that crime had climbed by 130 percent in the past two years. The Fine Gael leader had misrepresented the statistics.
Street violence was "a very small aspect" of crime. The government had dealt severely on pubs which served under age drinkers. It had developed the Criminal Assets Bureau and cracked down on organised crime.
Mr Noonan said the Taoiseach had flung money at tackling crime but with few palpable results.
Defending the government's record on political corruption, the Taoiseach said all political parties had been dogged by sleaze allegations. As Taoiseaach he had "cleaned up and improved" public life and set a new standard for political ethics which were equal of any country in the world.
On health, Mr Noonan said the Government had "thrown an enormous amount of into a lot of areas of public service but have failed to deliver an improvement." He ridiculed the Government's promise that it would end waiting lists
in two years time saying waiting lists were now as high as they were
five years ago. But Mr Ahern pointed out there had been a 120 per cent increase into the health serviceMr Noonan said that TDs all over the country were hearing from constituents who were in needs of cardiovascular interventions. At every second door canvassed during the election, he said, "there is a story about inadequate health services".
The Taoiseach insisted that if returned to Government Fianna Fail would implement the National Health Strategy and eliminate waiting lists.
The government had taken firm action to weed out corruption. It had established eight tribunals of inquiry.
There was consensus between the two men in relation to the North. Mr Noonan said that Fine Gael had a good record on Northern Ireland and he acknowledged that Mr Ahern had handled the peace process very well.
On the economy Mr Ahern said the public finances were in excellent shape. FF had costed fully their main expenditure items over the next five years. Mr Noonan said he believed the current Government was very fortunate to preside over a boom. "They actually thought they were responsible for the boom and that they controlled it..This Government is basking in the success of the private sector. The big problem now that is emerging is that revenue is falling away, expenditure is racing ahead and even though you have budgeted for aminor surplus at the end of the year it is as clear as Crystal there is going to be a major deficit, that will be compounded in the years ahead."
The Fine Gael leader asked what personal qualities he had which would make him a better Taoiseach said he believe he was more resolute. "I would plan things more carefully and not bounce around on issues like the present Taoiseach."
Asked what his best qualities were Mr Ahern said he sincerely believe he had the ability to listen to the problems of people and turn those into policy issues.
Questioned on their personality weaknesses Mr Noonan his principle fear was that he would not have enough seats to form a government and the compatible partners for that government. The
Taoiseach said if he looked back over the last five years maybe he had done too many things, including meeting too many delegations and working up to 90 hours a week.