Brian Meaney, Green Party County Councillor, deputy Mayor of Clare and candidate in the next General Election today dramatically called for republicians to switch their voting intentions.
"In Irish political terms the word republician was hijacked many years ago and twisted to mean anti-English, anti-Protestant and anti-Unionist. If you believe yourself to be a republician and by that mean that you would like to see a 32 county republic with a large consenting minority of Northern Protestants then voting for Fianna Fail or Sinn Fein is absolutely the wrong thing to do."

Why does anyone go into politics?

Most people will answer that question with a mention of power, influence, money, ego and other non-complimentary terms. The profession has a low esteem in public perception. I can only speak for myself when I say I am involved primarily because I want to influence the world my children will live in and it was something I was drawn to, not sure why. I am a slightly hyperactive individual who is full of opinions and energy. I have no great ambitions towards power, wealth or fame. I do have a strong sense of justice and it is my experience most politicians share these attributes.