The general election is due to take place next Friday the 26th February and in preparation, the second leader's debate took place tonight. Live from the Univeristy Concert Hall Limerick, some of Ireland's most prolific political figures had a chance to plead their case. Independent TD Richard Boyd Barrett was praised for his summation of the Irish health service while others were impressed by Social Democrats' Stephen Donnelly. Suffice to say, tempers were fraught and here's what Twitter had to say about proceedings* *The general consensus is that Claire Byrne should run for office...

Poor @joanburton is going to take someones head off if they interrupt her again #cblive #GE2016 #leadersdebate pic.twitter.com/GdUhZjd98y

— Jamie Kenny (@jenties87) February 15, 2016

Oh my god Enda just rolled his eyes. This is gas #leadersdebate — Aisling Hussey (@AislingHussey) February 15, 2016

@RBoydBarrett and @DonnellyStephen playing a blinder and resonating with audience members... Time for #change #GE16 #leadersdebate

— Bernadette Grogan (@bergro30) February 15, 2016

Give Claire the job super Stephen doing very well Enda gone into a whisper #leadersdebate

— Maureen Darcy (@bluemo1878) February 15, 2016

Michael Martin is right there. Much more money must go into Health. #leadersdebate — Brian O'Sullivan (@BrianyBear) February 15, 2016

I'd vote for the party @ClaireByrneLive leads. She's by far the strongest leader in this debate. #leadersdebate

— Gillian Walsh (@Walsh_Gill) February 15, 2016

@DonnellyStephen is owning this debate. @RBoydBarrett not far behind him either on health service. #leadersdebate — AnitaFinucane (@AnitaFinucane) February 15, 2016

Well if Martin won the first debate, Donnelly and RBB have put that in context in the second . This is an opposition. #leadersdebate

— Tommy Weir (@TommyW) February 15, 2016

Clare Byrne is doing a sterling job handling the seven leaders to be fair. Much improved from last weeks debate #cblive #ge16

— Brendan Lupton (@NextGenQSs) February 15, 2016

"Stephen is speaking in management consultant talk" Joan says, waving her hands #leadersdebate — Corneilius Markey (@Nerin_) February 15, 2016

"The health service is a two-tier system" - Richard Boyd Barrett #leadersdebate #GE16 pic.twitter.com/aQ0hEXd8Ln

— Her.ie (@Herdotie) February 15, 2016

Claire Byrne @ a #leadersdebate is like @TheNotoriousMMA in a cage

— Lorraine Healy (@LorraineHealy3) February 15, 2016

#leadersdebate very little passion for the first 45 minutes. Tiny bit since, dull, dull, dull.

I think of all the people I've seen tonight on #leadersdebate the one I'd really love to see as taoiseach is Claire Byrne

— Ronan Grace (@RonanjGrace) February 15, 2016

— Jim Keaveney (@_JimK) February 15, 2016

Stephen Donnelly is very impressive, it has to be said. Only one of them talking sense. #cblive #leadersdebate

— Ciarán Dowd (@CiaranDowdy) February 15, 2016

I get the impression FG LAB FF spouting just to get votes. New parties talking about things they believe in. #leadersdebate — Michael harty (@MhartyMichael) February 15, 2016

Excellent analogy. Adequately resources primary care TEAMS, not centres, needed #leadersdebate https://t.co/nt8mOTBVKU

— Danielle Barron (@MedEdHead) February 15, 2016

. @joanburtontd looking like a rabbit caught in Boyd-Barrett's Headlights #leadersdebate — John Barrington (@PhuckAllCraic) February 15, 2016

Lab and FG need to live in reality. FF, Soc Dems and Renua are on the ball. AAA/PBP are too far left to make economic sense #leadersdebate

— Alex C (@WorldNo1Idiot) February 15, 2016

Claire is looking at the leaders like she has caught them playing football in the house. #leadersdebate #cblive pic.twitter.com/Xg1hMq8Fka — Aidan O' Carroll (@Aidanavalanche) February 15, 2016

.@EndaKennyTD has actual plans to resolve our problems. Most on the stage tonight only seem able to complain! #CBLive #leadersdebate #GE16

— Luke Hogg (@LukeJHogg) February 15, 2016

S.Donnelly is impressive&articulate speaker but there's no basis or consistency in his politics. Speaks from both left&right #leadersdebate — Ciarán Lyng (@CiaranLyng) February 15, 2016

Claire Byrne is taking no shit from Enda and Joan. Can she run the country instead? #leadersdebate

— Carol Cronin (@karlachameleon) February 15, 2016

Enda following his lead from last week - like a trained boxer, as the debate goes on he starts to pick and choose his punches #leadersdebate

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) February 15, 2016

God I wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of #clairebyrne #Iamjustwarningyou they are getting some tongue lashing #leadersdebate

— Andra Johnston (@unedeuxtroix) February 15, 2016