Jimmy Guerin:

1.      Will you work to reform the education system so that all children in your constituency can access publicly-funded schools which have no religious ethos?

Yes I chose to send my own children to a non denominational school. They are now ranging from 16 to 22 in age. I feel it is important that religious ethos which we experienced growing up in our schools should not be there. I made sacrifices as this was important to me and the only way I could get the education for my children was to choose a private school. Although it was an expensive and at times hard to meet the costs I felt it was worth it

2.      Would you support a referendum to remove religious references from the Constitution?

I would have to examine what you mean by this. I believe it is important that people have a right to practice religion / faith without being hindered. I may not agree with other peoples beliefs but I feel we must respect them .

3.      Do you believe that blasphemy should be a criminal offence?

Under no circumstances.

4.      Would you support legislation to prevent hospitals from having a religious ethos?

Yes where these are state owned and funded. However I would also support the right of individuals to carry out their work but if something is required of them which is against their beliefs I believe that needs to be accommodated

5.      If elected, would you vote to ensure that religious bodies are treated the same as other organisations under equality and employment legislation? Yes

6.      Do you believe that religions should have to pay their fair share of tax on income that does not come from charitable activities?

Not if the profits they make are being used in charitable works

7.      If you wish to provide a brief general statements of your views on the future development of secularisation in Ireland, or to highlight any previous comments you have made on related issues, please do so.

There are many and not being rude I do not like making detailed statements without proper preparation. I believe that we would agree on some aspects of your beliefs but would not agree with them all. I hope that this does not appear as a cop out but it requires time. I would make one comment. I believe that it is wrong for you to seek such views in the middle of a campaign. It appears as being bullish. I assure you that if I were of a totally opposing view I would reply and would not be influenced by your reference to publish details of people who participate or refuse to. I stood for election in 2009 and have been active since. Why not make contact before now . Hope that does not sound arrogant, it s not intended to be so.

Thomas Broughan:

Thank you for your recent email. I will bring this to the attention of the Parliamentary Labour Party and to my colleague, the Deputy for Dublin South East, Ruairi Quinn. In general I believe that all religious and philosophical beliefs should be treated equally in our republic.

In addition, see the Labour Party response on behalf of all its candidates

Raymond Sexton:

I believe in a Higher Being.

That said I like the Turkish model where they have removed religion form the state.

I would need to have much debate with you and your colleagues to test my stance.

Very open to input but not ready yet to throw ethos out the window yet!

Larry O’Toole:

See the statement provided by Sinn Fein on behalf of all its candidates.

Sean Kenny:

See the statement provided by the Labour Party on behalf of all its candidates.

Terence Flanagan:

See the statement provided by Fine Gael on behalf of all its candidates.

David Healy

See the statement provided by the Green Party on behalf of all its candidates.

No Response Received From:

Averil Power

Brian Greene

Eamonn Blaney

Robert Eastwood

Fine Gael statement

Green Party statement

Labour Party Statement

Sinn Fein Statement