“I was very disappointed with the court decision on the ‘three strikes and you’re out’ plan. I would like the next government to revisit that situation and find a way to support music in Ireland. Music has huge benefits to this country, not just in terms of money but jobs, tourism and the social value that music has. Music has done so much for the image of Ireland abroad. But given the way government can mess everything up, I’d find it a bit creepy if they became too interested in music. If they were interested they could find ways of providing places where young bands could rehearse, for example. But I have to admit that I find it hard to get enthused about Irish politics. Most of the parties are the same and there’s no real libertarian party that I would want to support. A lot of people feel that no matter who gets in it’ll be more of the same anyway. That cynicism is detrimental, but it’s the politicians who cause the cynicism in the first place. They have a long way to go before any of us will trust them again.”