The great debate of the election on RTÉ television last night ended with Enda Kenny scoring on confidence and the clarity of his message on services and accountability while the Taoiseach scored on points of detail. Stephen Collins, Political Editor, reports.
Given that Mr Kenny had much more to lose if he failed to demonstrate his ability to hold his own in such a crucial contest his supporters will be happier at the outcome. There was certainly no knockout punch from either man in the course of the contest.
Mr Kenny looked confident and alert while the Taoiseach looked tired at times. Mr Ahern did pressurise his opponent on how he would deliver on his "contract" within budgetary constraints and he also did well on crime.
However, Mr Kenny's argument about the need for change and his pledge to do things differently and hold his ministers accountable for delivering on the promises of the alternative government was expressed forcefully.
At times the debate descended into detailed argument and assertion about figures between the two men that would have left many viewers confused but there were no fireworks as in the debate the previous night.
With the Fine Gael and Labour alliance ahead in the polls in the days running up to the debate their supporters will be happier with the closeness of the contest which is unlikely to change the dynamics of the campaign.
The issue of the payments made to Mr Ahern was raised by the moderator of the debate, Miriam O'Callaghan, but the Taoiseach insisted that he had done nothing unusual.
"To rent a house I hope is not a crime, to take loans that you pay back to personal friends," said Mr Ahern.
Mr Kenny refused to be drawn into the issue saying. "It's not for me to cast judgement on any man or anybody... I am not adjudicating on the integrity of Bertie Ahern."
He pledged that if elected he would improve the Ethics in Government legislation. Mr Ahern insisted that the money given to him by Michael Wall was not for him in the first place.
"I suppose if you're separated and you have to rent a house I was paying a mortgage for the house that I had, which I gave to my wife in a judicial separation, which isn't unusual. I explained the details around that, I explained the people who gave me loans, which I paid back."
The two men disagreed on the issue of health with the Taoiseach insisting that the money could not be found for the 2,300 beds being promised by the alternative government.
Mr Kenny maintained that provision had been made for the €2.3 billion from which the beds will come. He said there was more than enough money to do it of the political will was there.
The Taoiseach put the Fine Gael leader under pressure on how he proposed to introduce the system of medical cards for the under fives and said that no child born today would qualify for that if Mr Kenny got into government
There were also exchanges on the issue of stamp duty with Mr Ahern remarking at one point. "We are the party which has made the construction industry."
Mr Kenny replied: "You are also the party which has benefited from the construction industry."