Micheál Martin, Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore trade blows on job creation, health reform and their goals for leadership.

The missed blows, the landed punches and – maybe – the policies that emerged in last night’s five-way leaders’ debate at RTE.

The outcome of tonight’s leaders’ debate isn’t certain – but the likelihood of commentators employing a few lovelorn idioms in the aftermath is odds-on…

Last night’s TV3 debate between Eamon Gilmore and Micheal Martin was relatively restrained… and so was Vincent Browne.

The Greens’ leader says he wants to be “helpful” – but he too thinks a five-way debate is the best option.

TV3′s broadcaster says Enda Kenny has used Vincent Browne’s presence as an excuse not to take part in the channel’s debate.

The Fine Gael leader puts the skids on TV3′s plan for Tuesday’s debate by saying he wants nothing to do with Browne.

The Fianna Fáil leader says he’s looking forward to the TV3 debate, and denies impropriety over Owen O’Callaghan’s donations.

The week that was, in pictures.

…But he agrees to participate in five-leader debate on Sky news.