February 1982: A presidential- style televised debate was hosted by RTÉ between then taoiseach Garret FitzGerald and Fianna Fáil leader Charles Haughey.
The debate, chaired by Brian Farrell, lasted for 90 minutes. Much of it focused on the economy, with an exchange on Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. Newspapers were divided as to the winner, with most declaring it as a draw.
November 1982: The second televised election debate between FitzGerald and Haughey lasted for an hour. The Irish Times and the Irish Press said it was a draw, while the Irish Independent said FitzGerald had edged it. One of the main talking points was FitzGerald's refusal to pose for a photograph with Haughey before the debate.
February 1987: Haughey and FitzGerald were again involved in the single debate. Again, both leaders were well-prepared but Haughey scored points in attacking the cuts being proposed in a hairshirt Fine Gael budget.
June 1989: Taoiseach Charles Haughey refuses a debate with Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes. He said that such debates were "a bit of theatre, a bit of a circus and a great media hype".
November 1992: The debate between taoiseach Albert Reynolds and Fine Gael leader John Bruton is so flat that commentators describe it as a nil-nil draw.
June 1997: Taoiseach John Bruton is deemed to have had a clear victory over then Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern, who quoted statistics and reports while Bruton told human stories. Fianna Fáil nevertheless won the election.
May 2002: Fine Gael called for two debates between Ahern and Michael Noonan, but Fianna Fáil only agreed to one. Noonan is perceived as the winner but it comes too late to halt a huge slide in Fine Gael support.
May 2007: Again a single debate, coming late in the campaign. After a nervous start, taoiseach Bertie Ahern is seen to have had the upper hand over Enda Kenny. A secondary debate involving the four leaders of minor parties exposes huge gaps in Gerry Adams's understanding of the economy.
