Meet the candidates: Vincent Beirne, Independent (Roscommon Galway)

Here is our Q&A with Vincent Beirne, of Frenchpark, Roscommon, who is one of two non-party candidates standing in Roscommon-Galway. His occupation, as listed on the ballot, is a shaman.

Why did you decide to run in this general election?

The reason why I decided to run in this election is that I saw no voice for ordinary people. I saw that community was no longer being served - that Government was forcing an agenda into communities that did not serve a purpose. And there was a lack of consultation with communities.

It broke my heart to see the young people of today, and families, finding it hard to get housed or to rent a house.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing the people of Roscommon-Galway?

Community recognition. Recognising our culture and our heritage. Health, and the lack of services around it. Immigration and the shortfall of Government in relation to the pressure being put on our land and our people, as well as the cost.

Rural community issues are important to me, such as respect for small farmers, developing more self-growing and self awareness of land and how to develop it in a way that values the land and the individuals that are the temporary caretakers of it.

The right to build one-off houses on people's land, to keep a family unit together, is another big issue.

Do you think smaller parties and Independents have any real power to enact change in the Dáil?

Smaller parties and Independents can of course make a difference if they make themselves known, speak up, and put across their point of view both in the Dáil, on social media, and on ground with the people and community. From small seeds great oak trees grow.

It time for a rebirth, as for the last 100 years two parties have held power, and over the last two decades they have become disconnected from their own people and what best for our land and people.

If you were rating the current Government's performance out of 10, what would you give it and why?

I'd give it a 3, the reason why is that the housing situation has become impossible. The amount of homeless in Ireland has increased to over 14,000. IPAS centres are being put into communities without any respect for community opinion.

They have lost a sense of pride in themselves, the people of Eire, and the land of this magical country.