The instructions I was given by the Limerick Leader for answering the questions were: "As you will see, some of the questions are very concise while others require a little more detail in the answers. Answers however, can be no more than 50 words." As you will see, I kept my answers to 50 words or less. I don't know why they were edited, there was plenty of space.

Before I answered the questions I contacted the journalist responsible and asked if they were strict on the 50 words rule as I had noticed that some candidates had exceeded that limit on several occassions. For example, one candidate, a TD, took 80 words to answer the first question. I was told that that was the point of the quiz, to see if candidates were able to respond as requested, a test of their ability!

I've highlighted the cuts that were made by the Limerick leader in red.

1. Explain, in 40 words or less, why you deserve our readers' No 1 preference.
Not being in thrall to any party, I would represent their interests only. I want to stop the fracturing of families; I will work to ensure that both parents are not forced by economic necessity to work outside the home.

2. Can you identify one thing above all that you are committed to achieving if elected?
Many areas in Limerick have been badly neglected and virtually abandoned by our local authority, one would be forgiven for thinking that Limerick City Council is more concerned in promoting the interests of the business community than those of the people. Reform of local government is a big priority.

3. Describe Limerick in three words.
Home Sweet Home.

4. Now do the same for yourself.
Independent, Republican, Battler.

5. Where did you get your politics - did someone or something inspire your ideology/party affiliation?
My republicanism comes from my late grandma, Kathleen O'Brien (nee O'Rourke). She was a teenager during the War of Independence and told me stories about her time as a Cumman na mBan courier and my grandfather, an IRA volunteer. She told to me her grandmother’s stories about the Famine and the Fenian’s.

6. What seat in your constituency do you see as being under the most threat?
In 2002 Willie O’Dea and Michael Noonan were elected on the first count with a healthy surplus. Peter Power exceeded the quota on the 10th count. Tim O’Malley and Jan O’Sullivan took their seats without exceeding the quota as everyone else was eliminated. The last three seats could be anyone’s.

7. If you were not voting for yourself in your constituency, who would get your No 1?
Tim O'Malley, while I disagree with most PD policies, he strikes me as the most sincere and hardworking of the incumbents. Noreen Ryan, she would inject some much-needed republicanism into Fianna Fáil. Dennis Riordan or Connor O’Donoghue, for their integrity and idealism. I could never decide until the day.

8. Which historical figure do you most admire?
Patrick Pearse and the other signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. The best way to commemorate them is for people to reclaim the Republic by voting for those who will “pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and all its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally”.

9. What personal measures have you taken to become 'greener'?
I recycle, compost and use energy saving light bulbs. I live in a second hand home that I restored with my own hands. Essentially, I believe that mending is better than ending.

10. What is the biggest mistake the current Government have made since 2002?
Taking people for granted. Saying that “a rising tide raises all boats” is all well and good assuming that we all had boats to begin with. Quite a few are barely keeping their necks above water! We need an economy that works for everyone and benefits all.

11. What is the biggest mistake you have made in your political life?
Not deciding to stand for election sooner.

12. Would it bother you if there was no united Ireland in 50 years' time?
It bothers me that there isn't one now. Partition distorted the political, economic, social and cultural life of our country and fostered sectarian divisions among our people. Thankfully the Peace Process is bearing fruit; if Sinn Féin and the DUP can share power then there is hope for the future.

13. If you could reduce property prices by 10% overnight would you do it?
Yes, by capping the profit that a developer is permitted to make on a new house. People before profit and Families first, that's what I believe. The concept of a “property ladder” is bad for neighbourhoods, you can’t build a community when people move in with a view to moving out.

14. When was the last time you drank to excess?
I don't normally make toasts, if I were to drink to anything I would drink to prosperity. Joking aside, I have a low tolerance for alcohol, three pints is my limit. I was at a christening last Sunday and had four pints after the meal, I was starting to wobble!

15. What is your proudest single achievement as a political representative?
I'm not there yet! I did campaign for Kathy Sinnott during the 2004 European elections. I was proud to have helped elect a true champion of our most vulnerable: the disabled, the sick and the elderly. She has proved herself to be the most dedicated MEP we have in Munster.

16. Are local hospitals adequately resourced?
No. For example our maternity hospital has two theatres, one for emergencies and one for scheduled c-sections. A friend of mine was recently scheduled for a c-section and had to wait 24hrs and become an emergency before being operated on, because there was only enough staff for one theatre!

17. What is the biggest single issue you are finding on the doorsteps?
I haven't knocked on any doors yet and as a working father I might not have the time to call to everyone. I'll probably just leaflet and not disturb their meals. However, from people I've spoken to in casual conversation on the street, I would say crime and anti-social behaviour.

18. On a scale of 1-10, rate the cynicism of the Limerick electorate towards politicians.
10 in some places. Some of our estates have been surrendered to criminal gangs who decide who can and can't live there. People feel abandoned by the state. Garda Sub Stations should be established in the heart of such areas to house the "100 additional Gardaí" recommended by John Fitzgerald.

19. Do you have any reservations about John Fitzgerald's report on Limerick housing estates?
Some parties are calling for the regeneration boards to be established before the election, despite the fact that Mr. Fitzgerald has clearly stated that firstly "...intensive policing intervention is required in the short to medium term to allow the other interventions an opportunity to work." First things first!

20. Is the decline in farming irreversible?
We are importing poultry from SE Asia and beef from Brazil where costs are considerably lower. Direct subsidies are being phased out making the production of food here less viable. It is unlikely that we will see subsidies re-introduced and such imports prohibited. I fear for the future of farming.

21. How's your Irish? And do you think compulsory Irish in second-level education is still the best way to ensure preservation of the language?
Tá mo chuid Ghaeilge cuíosach lag, mór mo náire. It would be daft to downgrade the status of Irish in our schools when it’s just been recognised as an official language of the EU. The fact that more emphasis is being put on spoken Irish in schools today is welcome.

22. Where did you meet your partner?
I met Cindy on the social scene in Limerick through a friend who was dating her sister at the time.

23. Do you have a sporting hero?
Michelle Smith DeBruin, she won her medals fair and square. I was a competitive swimmer for years and know the sport. Hard training alone can produce dramatic results and she performed on the day. The manner in which an ignorant media pounced on accusations by a jealous competitor was disgusting.

24. What would you say to people who criticise the number of foreign nationals now living in Limerick?
Government policy on immigration is exploitative and racist, preaching tolerance while promoting resentment. Little is being done to integrate and we have enough problems with crime and anti-social behaviour without importing more. It only takes a handful of bad apples to tarnish the public perception of the hard-working majority.

25. Can you see the ratio of male and female TDs becoming more equal over the next 20 years?
I would like to see more women getting involved in politics and people electing them because of their beliefs as opposed to their gender. I don’t believe in tokenism or “positive” discrimination. Imposing a gender balance undermines the advancement of women by denying them an opportunity to compete as equals.

26. What would your luxury item be if you were stranded on a desert island?
A wind up radio, the one with the built in dynamo - no batteries required.

27. Who has been the most inspirational person in your life?
My partner, Cindy. She is an amazing mother and talented artist. We’ve been together 16 years and had our ups and downs, happy and trying times, but at the end of the day she’s always been there for me. She is my rock; I’d be lost without her.

28. Have you had a life-changing moment that stands out?
The birth of my sons, Ógie(Cathal Óg) 5yrs, and Ruairí, 3yrs. Both occasions are still with me. One of the reasons that I decided to run in this election is because I want them to be able to grow up in a safe and secure environment.

29. If you were to undergo plastic surgery, what would you have done?
I don't believe in cosmetic solutions to real problems; either personally or politically. One would be forgiven for thinking that this election is a beauty contest given all the pretty posters. What are they all smiling about anyway? This is a serious business!

30. What opposition politician do you most admire in Ireland?
Michael D. Higgins. He is one of the few idealists left in Dáil Éireann and I think the Labour Party did the country a great disservice by not allowing him to run for President. I voted for Mary McAleese, she's done a good job, but he would have been brilliant.