The selection by Fine Gael of Senator John McGahon in Louth has also dogged the Taoiseach’s campaign. Mr McGahon was found not guilty of assaulting a man outside a Dundalk nightclub in a criminal case two years ago, but a civil action earlier this year found him liable and he was ordered to pay damages.

The leaders of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin were taking part in a debate just days before the general election.

The Business Post has released new polling figures this evening, conducted by Red C, that show Sinn Féin and Fine Gael each receiving 20% of first preference votes.

How do you go from jumping down each other’s throats to jumping back into bed together in the space of days? And how do you expect voters to trust you?

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said his party has a “stronger alignment” with Fine Gael as he ruled out a deal with Sinn Féin. Mr Martin indicated his party still wanted to bring Simon Harris back to power despite the latest opinion poll showing a slump in support for Fine Gael.

The two main coalition parties have now published their election manifestos, outlining what they are promising the electorate if they are elected to government.

Fianna Fáil’s refusal to contemplate Sinn Féin as a coalition partner is policy-based and not personal, Micheal Martin has insisted. Mr Martin again made clear he would not engage with Sinn Féin in relation to government formation post-election.