(1.) Irish religious orders owe €1.5 billion in compensation to the survivors of clerical abuse. What action would you take to ensure – without fail – that they finally, universally, have to pay up?

Compulsory purchase their properties at low cost, so that the state gains €1.5bn in value.

(2.) Will you commit to maintaining the Basic Income For Artists (BIA) scheme beyond its current trial period and do you feel there’s scope for it to be expanded?

Yes, it has been a great success and should be increased.

(3.) Will you enact the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs’ recommendation to decriminalise the possession of all illicit drugs for personal use?

Yes.

(4.) Can you give a clear  timeframe for closing down Direct Provision?

Immediately.

(5.) What would you do, concretely, to add to the pressure on Israel to end the slaughter in Gaza and Lebanon?

Enact the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill, and actively ensure no weapons are being sent to Israel through Irish airspace.

(6.) Should vulture funds, institutions or pension schemes (and similar) be prevented from buying up new housing, apartments etc?

Yes.

(7.) Do you have a specific policy with regards to repurposing the 100,000-plus derelict buildings in Ireland for housing?

Start with a fallow tax and, after due warning, take them into public ownership and make them fit for residential accommodation at affordable rents.

(8.) What will you do, again concretely, to stop social media and tech companies from enabling – and earning vast amounts of money from enabling – the spread of misinformation, by people determined to undermine democratic institutions and manipulate public opinion with lies?

Copy Brazil and issue heavy fines to platforms that spread misinformation.

(9. )What’s your plan for tackling the mental health crisis among young people, many of whom have to wait months, even years to access treatment?

Fully fund Mental Health Ireland’s call for an additional €115m to be invested in services.

(10.) How do you solve the Dublin Airport capacity crisis?

End private jet traffic and jets serving just one or two people.

BONUS QUESTION:

(11.) Are there any parties currently represented in the Dáil that you’d refuse to go into coalition with?

The Independent Left will support – without being bound to it – a coalition that aligns with our policies. This definitely rules out supporting a Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael government.

The General Election 2024 special is available to read in full in the new issue of Hot Press – while extracts will be shared on hotpress.com over the coming days.