Party leaders set out their stalls on coalition talks

Ten party leaders are taking part in the debate on RTÉ's Upfront with Katie Hannon programme.

Taoiseach Simon Harris defended the selection of John McGahon as a Fine Gael candidate in Louth.

Mr McGahon was found not guilty in a trial in 2022 for physically attacking a man outside a Co Louth pub.

Mr Harris said Mr McGahon was selected by the party in Louth and he will remain on the ticket for the 29 November poll.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said his party wanted to lead the next government and he would talk to other parties to form a coalition that would support the 'enterprise economy'.

Follow live updates from the leaders' deabte here

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald said it was time for new faces around the Cabinet table and it was up to the electorate to decide on who that will be.

She said now is the time to end the dominance of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Labour's Ivan Bacik said her party had significant differences with the three main parties on policy issues.

She said she would speak with 'like-minded others' after the election.

Addressing the issue of the next coalition government, Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said any decision to enter into government again would be based on policies such as public transport, childcare and the Greens could work with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on those.

Cian O'Callghan of the Social Democrats said the next government neded to have a change of direction. He said his party would talk to all parties after the votes are cast.

More to follow.....