Asked if they would appoint members of the opposition to their cabinet, the two contestants for Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach gave very different answers.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney named Green party leader Eamon Ryan as his choice for climate change minister, arguing that Ireland needed to step up action in dealing with this issue. This would more aggressive development of new technologies, including in the food industry, Minister Coveney said. "Having Green input would increase ambition levels" in addressing what is "a generational challenge," he added.

That doesn’t mean that he would determine government policy, he would just be part of the discussion

After the debate, he told the Irish Farmers Journal: "I don’t think farmers have any worry about that. Ireland is doing more through agriculture for climate change virtually than any country in the world." He pointed out that he would appoint Deputy Ryan as minister for climate change, not agriculture. "That doesn’t mean that he would determine government policy, he would just be part of the discussion," he added.

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar did not name any opposition politician he would include in his cabinet and cautioned against Simon Coveney's proposal to form a coalition with the Green party. He said this should be subject to "red lines", including green taxation as well as "live exports and the impact this would have on agriculture".

The Green party's position is to increase value-added beef and veal production in Ireland and reduce live exports.

The debate took place in a packed room at Cork's Silver Springs hotel, with 1,000 party members in attendance and an electric atmosphere among the crowd.

Donoughmore dairy farmer and farm buildings contractor John McSweeney said Leo Varadkar had articulated a clearer vision on the night. "All farmers are self-employed and I think Leo is looking more after people who are enterprising, creating jobs," he told the Irish Farmers Journal.

Youghal dairy farmer and horse breeder Maurice Smiddy was convinced by Simon Coveney. "Dublin has got a lot of investment over the last number of years and I think it’s fierce important that the rural economy economy is looked after and I think Simon is far better placed to do that than Leo. Simon is the man who know rural Ireland, lives rural Ireland," he said.

Listen to John and Maurice as well as Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar supporter, Minister of State Andrew Doyle in our podcast below:

Listen to "Voices from Cork Fine Gael hustings" on Spreaker.

Sunday's hustings concluded the campaign for the election of Fine Gael's leader, which will take place from Monday to Thursday with the final count scheduled for Friday.

Read more

Much still to play for in Fine Gael leadership contest

Fine Gael leadership race: 'work must pay' – Coveney

Full coverage: agriculture and climate change