The penultimate TV debate of the general election campaign takes place on Thursday night.

Seven party leaders will go head-to-head with just nine days left until voting.

Leo Varadkar, Micheál Martin, Mary Lou McDonald, Brendan Howlin, Eamon Ryan, Mick Barry and Catherine Murphy will take part in the debate on Virgin Media One at 9.30pm.

The battle for hearts and minds across the nation is going to take on something of a different shape as we near the final week.

Most of the parties have launched their manifestos, and voters can have a pretty good idea of what sets them apart from a policy point of view.

That means there are two big factors left that will shape the election from here on in.

One is events, both predictable and unpredictable.

We are going to hear a lot about Brexit over the next few days as the UK formally leaves the EU.

But unexpected twists and turns almost always shape how people vote.

The other big factor is the two remaining TV debates: one of which will be held later on Virgin Media One.

It will be hosted by Ivan Yates and Matt Cooper.

Seven party leaders will have the chance to pick up where they left off on Monday - and have another go at setting out their policies, or another go at each other.

It is the last all-party debate planned with the final TV slot being a head-to-head between Taoisech Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin next week.

Reporting by Sean Defoe