1.
Mark Casey “The key issues for me are housing and crime. They are the two issues affecting the people of Longford at the moment.I've looked at all the candidates and weighed it up. I see Gerry Warnock as a very fitting candidate. He is from Longford town, he knows the issues, both rural and urban. I think he is an excellent candidate. He has a family with a long history in politics and he is truly a good worker. I am 100% putting my weight in behind him. I have other preferences. I have to mention my independent colleague Boxer Moran, a councillor in Athlone. When he was a junior Minister he did so much work for south Longford, it was phenomenal. There are areas in south Longford that have never flooded because of the work he got done. It was an absolute disaster he did not get elected because he was a Trojan worker for Longford. I'd love to see both him and Gerry elected to the Dáil, two strong independents fighting for everything they can get for this area.”
2.
Mary Lenihan “I'm a creature of habit, I will be voting Fine Gael, so for Micheál Carrigy and the other party members on the ballot paper.There is a lot more that they could do, but these are very difficult times. The war in Ukraine and in Palestine are having a huge effect on the whole world. They should invest more in looking after the younger people. It has been stated many times how difficult it is for them to get their own home. The government should be doing something. Many of these young people are paying €1,200 in rent and they can't save for a mortgage. After two or three years of paying that much rent it should be taken into consideration by banks when they look for a mortgage. Taking care of the young people is something that I hope will be a priority for the next government.”
3.
Greig Berry “I work primarily in the arts, so music and creativity are very important to me. I would like to see a greater funding commitment to the arts sector. I haven't decided on a candidate just yet, I will look at what they are saying in the next few days. I think voting is important, I will be making sure I vote for someone who represents what I believe in. The cost of living is an important issue, but so is crime. I hear a lot about people being attacked, so I want to know there is support for preventative measures that would address these issues. Among the politicians I know are Micheál Carrigy, who is my neighbour, I also know Joe Flaherty and Barry Campion, but I will be looking at all my options before casting my vote.”
4.
Séamus Gilchrist “I don't think the working people get a chance. We have firefighters working that can’t get a mortgage.They can’t get a mortgage because they’re not earning enough in the fire service, and they’re not earning enough in the council to get a council house. "I’d like to see Joe Flaherty get in, I think he’s very excellent, in my eyes anyway.And same for Peter Burke in Westmeath, they’d be my two candidates. I don’t go for each party I just go for the individual person. "I was disappointed with the Leaders debate (with ten leaders involved) because it was all about the three parties. “The other seven were completely ignored and none of them spoke the truth. “My thing is I hope Sinn Féin don’t get in, they had no manifesto last night. “They were literally waiting for the reports to come in so they can make up their own thing the next day.”