Last night was the first televised debate of the election campaign, with 10 party leaders taking part.

The debate on RTÉ's Upfront with Katie Hannon was billed as the largest of its kind in Irish television history, although leaders of the smaller parties struggled to get a word in.

Coalition

The debate started with Ms Hannon asking which parties each leader would form a coalition with if elected.

Both Fine Gael's Simon Harris and Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin said they would not go into Government with Sinn Féin.

The Green Party's Roderic O'Gorman said his party will work with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on climate issues, while Aontú's Peadar Tóibín said his party will not work with Fine Gael or the Green Party.

Labour's Ivana Bacik, Independent Ireland's Michael Collins and Social Democrats Cian O'Callaghan said their parties would work with other parties post election.

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald, People Before Profit-Solidarity's Richard Boyd Barrett and Right to Change Joan Collins said that this election offers the public the chance to not be led by Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.

Cost of living

On the issue of the cost of living, Mr Harris said his manifesto includes solutions relating to childcare, reducing VAT and college fees.

Ms McDonald said her party would bring rents, childcare and college fees down and reverse fuel hikes.

She also said her party would take the first €45,000 of everyone's wages out of USC.

Mr Martin said a reform of energy prices is needed to tackle the cost of living and he would look at issues in the supply chain to reduce grocery costs.

Housing

The leaders were later asked about housing, with Ms McDonald saying an affordable housing scheme needs to be affordable.

Ms Bacik called for an increased in housing supply and said Labour would turn the Land Development Agency into a State construction company.

Ms Collins said she would also back this measure.

Mr Tóibín said his party would reduce VAT and interest rates on small construction companies while Mr Collins said the infrastructure to end the housing crisis is not in place.

Mr O'Gorman said the Greens would focus on building affordable homes and affordable rentals while Mr Martin said this year, 6,000 affordable purchase homes were built.

Mr Boyd Barrett blamed the housing crisis on the State being driven by profit.

Mr Harris said the First Home and Help to Buy schemes will be needed until more houses are built.

Feature Image: Party leaders with Katie Hannon for RTÉ's party leaders debate. Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie