Cllr T.P O'Reilly, Fine Gael

Based in the Virginia area, Cllr T.P. O’Reilly is the third child of a family of six. He has two dogs - Duke and Harry (an Elkhound and Collie).

A builder by trade, Cllr O’Reilly is immersed in his community. He is a member of the Virginia Show Centre Committee, the Cross Hall Committee, and his local club Ramor United.

The current cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr O’Reilly is also a member of two Strategic Policy Groups (Infrastructure & Environment).

What is the last film you enjoyed watching? TV series – Yellowstone

Why did you enter politics? I have a deep interest in politics with a strong yearning to contribute to society and effect change.

Where do you sit on the political spectrum? Centre right.

What is your main campaigning issue? Services for people with special needs and care of young children.

What would you do in government to address it? I would be a strong advocate and look for more funding to increase the wraparound support services. More funding is needed for employment of more staff and more centres at our satellite hospitals.

Put these in order of importance (1-7, with 1 being the most important): Defence, Education, Health, Housing, Job Creation, Policing, Roads?

They are all important in their own right!

Can we afford more refugees? No.

Should Ireland sanction Israel and how? Yes - Limit trade imports into Ireland from Israel while the war is ongoing.

What’s the answer to the biodiversity/climate crises? There is no silver bullet here - small, individual, personal steps and goals. Each country has to take bigger and proportionate steps to reach climate targets.

Do we need state-run childcare facilities? Yes - the state needs to be more hands on in their approach to childcare.

One way to help revive towns and villages? We need to re-generate buildings to accommodate modern living standards. To achieve this, incentivise owners of such properties to develop them accordingly.