A neutral country needs to be able to defend itself. The cyberattack on the HSE, which originated in Russia and caused significant disruption to health services for Irish people, shows that we need to work with our European partners. - source: candidate

I'm a committed European but, under Ursula von der Leyen, there has been a terrifying rush to militarisation. Ireland has a proud tradition of neutrality and we should not abandon that to become involved in dangerous NATO or EU militarisation. - source: candidate

I am a committed European but the EU is moving in the wrong direction. It is complicit in the genocide in Gaza, is pursuing a terrifying drive to militarisation, and has overseen deepening of inequality. However, an EU based on inclusion, equality and justice can be an expanding force for good. - source: candidate

Membership of the European Union has been hugely positive for Ireland. There are many areas, such as renewable energy, medical research, among others, in which we can deepen co-operation for the benefit of all Europeans. - source: candidate

Cyberattacks, the use of drones, and interference with undersea cables, all highlight that we need to be able to better defend ourselves. Additional investment is taking place in a structured way following the comprehensive report by the Commission on the Defence Forces. - source: candidate

We have no need for weapons of war. We need homes, disability services, healthcare, and school places for all. But our defence forces must be valued, and paid accordingly. This is what we should invest our resources in. - source: candidate

While Ireland continues to be militarily neutral, we already assist countries that have been attacked with humanitarian aid and it’s important we continue to do so. - source: candidate

We should of course immediately provide humanitarian assistance and shelter for displaced people in the event of an attack or war. Any military response should be subject to a UN mandate, as is required by the triple lock. - source: candidate

We live in a dangerous world of competing military blocs. NATO has engaged in decades of military expansion, a process that has undoubtedly led to increased risk of war. Russia is the aggressor in Ukraine and should end its invasion. - source: candidate

Russia alone has brought war back to Europe by attacking and invading the sovereign and independent country of Ukraine. - source: candidate

I support the BDS campaign to force Israel to end its occupation and apartheid regime. It is a failure of successive governments that Ireland continues to trade with illegal Israeli settlements in occupied territories and we still await the OTB. - source: candidate

Trade policy is one of the areas that EU members pool together. Ireland continues to press for an end to the conflict in Gaza and this has included seeking a review of trade with Israel. - source: candidate

As someone who is committed to the two-state solution, a government with the best chance of success for its people is one that works to improve opportunities for its people, not one that devotes its energies into attacking civilians or invading other countries. - source: candidate

Self-determination is the right of every people, enshrined in international law. We know this better than most. I don’t agree with the politics of Hamas, but who represents the Palestinian people is a decision that must be left to them. - source: candidate

The President is above politics and as first citizen takes precedence and speaks for all the people of the Irish nation. - source: candidate

The President's role is to uphold the constitution. Section 12.8 of the Constitution says that the President must serve the welfare of the people. I would use my voice as President to ensure that this constitutional requirement is fulfilled. - source: candidate

The President can be a moral compass and can speak out when she sees injustice. However, it is not the job of the President to interfere in the day to day running of the country. The President can bring communities together, promote opportunities for all, and strive to unify people. - source: candidate

Section 12.8 of the Constitution states the President must serve the welfare of the people. The President's role is to uphold the constitution so I would use my voice as President to ensure that this constitutional requirement is fulfilled. - source: candidate

The President has a special role in upholding the Constitution. However, once a bill is referred to the Supreme Court it cannot be challenged again. Therefore, a balance needs to be found. - source: candidate

Under Article 26 of the Constitution, it is for the President to decide, after consultation with the Council of State, if any Bill should be referred to the Supreme Court. The frequency of such referrals cannot be predetermined. - source: candidate

It is important that the President speaks our first language, and ensures that it is respected and visible at the highest level. Statutes in Irish take precedence over English. A President interrogating the constitutionality of any law needs strong Irish. - source: candidate

It would rule a lot of people out of running for the office if only fluent Irish speakers could be President. One of the best Presidents we ever had, Mary McAleese, was not a fluent Irish speaker when she took office. A President should do his/her best to improve their proficiency in Irish. - source: candidate

The salary for the President is high and I would consider how the salary could best be used to serve the common good and to the benefit of communities all across the island. - source: candidate

The President as first citizen receives a very good salary. If successful, I would follow the precedent of Michael D Higgins (who was also a former Minister) and would gift my ministerial pension back to the State. - source: candidate

A united Ireland is a key vision and preparing for constitutional change needs to begin now. As President I would promote Irish unity and build support to build an inclusive, united Ireland that embraces all, from whatever background or tradition. - source: candidate

There is a lot of ground work that needs to take place to unify people from all traditions on this Island before a referendum takes place. - source: candidate

The tricolour was conceived as a symbol of peace and reconciliation — green for the nationalist tradition, orange for the unionist tradition, and white for peace between them. It represents the spirit of what a new, united Ireland should be about. - source: candidate

The Irish Flag belongs to everyone and represents all the traditions on our Ireland through the inclusion of green and orange. It is a symbol of reconciliation and peace. - source: candidate

With the new annual Ireland-UK summits, as well as the British-Irish Council, we have good opportunities to engage with our nearest neighbours. - source: candidate

Commonwealth is a legacy of empire and not an appropriate arrangement for international cooperation based on common interests and mutual respect. I support bilateral and multilateral arrangements with Britain that would help to deepen the relationship between us and between communities. - source: candidate

Ireland already has quotas for workers in certain occupations as well as for international agreements on asylum seekers and refugees. - source: candidate

The Irish have migrated all over the world and contribute to the societies they joined, as migrants do. Quotas are a blunt instrument that ignore our international legal obligations on free movement and provision of refuge. Migration has always existed and we are the better for it. - source: candidate

As part of the EU, the EU Migration and Asylum Pact which aim to better manage movement of people, will shape new Irish legislation. Ireland should have a firm but fair migration system. - source: candidate

Amnesty stated that deportation hubs result in catastrophic human rights violations. The EU must invest in asylum systems that can accommodate and treat asylum seekers with dignity and respect and provide resources and support to the local communities they join. - source: candidate

Free speech and freedom of expression are important and must be protected. However, immigrant, LGBTQ+ or other communities have the right to be protected, by the authorities and by the law, from those inciting violence through hate speech. - source: candidate

Freedoms of speech and expression are important rights. But they must be balanced with protections for any group of people vulnerable to attack. - source: candidate

Women should have access to free, safe, legal, local, and accessible abortion services. I believe that the 3 day wait should be removed so that women can make their own decisions about their own bodies. - source: candidate

The current legislation reflects the decision of the people of Ireland in the 2018 referendum. - source: candidate

My faith is very important to me. However, the President of Ireland is the president of all of the people in Ireland, including those of faith and of none. - source: candidate

As President, I would honour our Christian heritage while respecting all traditions. It is important that the President is a force for inclusion without privileging just one tradition. As President I would actively engage with Christian and other religious traditions. - source: candidate

People should be entitled to have their children educated within or without a religious tradition, if they so choose. However it is unacceptable that there is still a big religious influence in our state schools, and this should be ended. - source: candidate

As set out in the Constitution, parents are the primary educators of their children and it is important that parental choices be provided for. - source: candidate

Age appropriate relationships, sexuality and gender education is important so that children can understand and feel comfortable with their own feelings and identity. - source: candidate

This would require careful consideration by the Government of the day. It’s important that curriculums are age-appropriate. - source: candidate

The housing emergency is the defining crisis of our time. Decent housing has become a privilege when it should be a human right. I repeatedly called for a referendum to insert that right into our Constitution and I continue to make that call. - source: candidate

The Constitution already has a number of defined and undefined personal rights. A right to housing could act as a statement of intention to tackle a very difficult challenge that faces our country. The key focus must to be to increase the supply of Housing. - source: candidate

We face a climate crisis and if we don't tackle it we won't have an economy. We need sustainability based on free public transport, more warm, energy efficient homes, and we need infrastructure to support sustainability and high quality public services. - source: candidate

A growing economy, with full employment, provides the resources needed for our country including for further investment in initiatives to tackle climate change. We should not pit one against the other and we should all strive to protect our environment. - source: candidate