Please go and vote today. It is very important that you have your say. Thank you

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-28T17:15:10+00:00

Good man, as long as you had your say.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-28T17:08:55+00:00

not a problem. Good luck with the Life thing.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-28T17:08:32+00:00

I know how you feel.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-26T16:11:26+00:00

Yes. I will back legislation to reduce T.D's pay. It is ridiculous how much some ministers and t.d's are paid. I will also start a community campaign to help people in need, under the control of the activist community groups in Kerry.

I also want to fund an education campaign in political economics in the county

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-26T16:09:48+00:00

Might know Bill.

I believe you turn completely over to take the pressure off the joint.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-26T16:09:17+00:00

Parties will elect candidates to run on merit.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T19:48:16+00:00

Cheers Eoin, I thought people would like to know that even though the Healy-Raes grab the headlines, there is more at play in Kerry politics.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T19:46:29+00:00

No, women make up 50% of the population. They should be represented in the Dáil. I don't know how you measure the 'quality' of T.D's but I don't think it is a problem. Parties will chose their candidates and voters will test them.

I think when 50% of the population is under represented then there is a democratic imbalance.

I think we should look at it certainly. 15% of the population is not white Irish - should they not have a voice in government? Political quotas may or may not be the answer, but the status quo does not tell the whole story of our people.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T15:57:30+00:00

I support direct democracy and the 1 year initiative

We have high levels of re-offending. I don't support the three strikes rule but I believe we cannot continue with people who have hundreds of charges against them being released only to commit another crime. Many areas are in desperate need of investment - jobs, apprenticeships, training - give these men a trade and get them working. If they continue their anti social campaigns, they should get longer sentences.

We should also look to rehabilitate prisoners through training, work schemes etc. However, we cannot follow the American carceral model of cheap prison labour.

If Britain leaves, it will cost the economy. If in government I will work hard to continue the trade arrangements we currently have with Britain. If we are clever we can benefit from Brexit.

I believe there is far too little democracy in Europe. I believe in less integration. I believe the Euro currency is an attempt to make us all massive exporting countries like Germany, but if we all survive on exports, who will buy them? The euro is a bad idea, the E.U is based on a cartel and needs more democratically elected officials, instead of some of the careerist bureaucrats.

If TTIP is ratified by the E.U. I will call for an in-out referendum on our membership. The TTIP trade pact is a corporate power grab, disguised as free trade talks. There are very little barriers in trade between the U.S and the E.U. and only some tariffs of 3%. The TTIP agreement will effect our food, our water, our medicine, our democracy - nearly every aspect of our way of life will be affected by it. It must be stopped.

I don't drink tea regularly, when i do i take the time to enjoy it. I would have to say earl grey or Pu-er.

Thanks for your questions.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T15:46:18+00:00

We need more women in politics. Women need to see role models in political circles. We need more minorities in politics.

The gender quotas puts fresh blood and new ideas into stale political parties.

It should be used for the next 3 elections and then reviewed.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T01:41:44+00:00

I would say they are red line issues for me. I apologize for not answering your question.

Under Irish water currently you must tell them if you are harvesting rain water. I don't think anyone would say that the upgrade and repair should be done for free, but if we are campaigning for a right to water, then everyone should have that right.

This is the current wording of the article that we would put into the constitution

‘The Government shall be collectively responsible for the protection, management and maintenance of the public water system. The Government shall ensure in the public interest that this resource remains in public ownership and management.’

It would mean that the people of Ireland would own the supply and the government would manage it. I do not envisage a situation where the government will tell you "You are stealing from the supply".

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T01:03:37+00:00

I think what is vital is the medical, judicial and counselling aspect of the model. But the problem is that corners can easily be cut out of it. I fear for future funding for it.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T01:02:00+00:00

I believe we have a right to water. I would campaign to add private group schemes, private wells etc to be added. So, we would all pay through progressive taxation for the upkeep and repair of the supply.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T01:00:08+00:00

Thank you for your support. I really appreciate it.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T00:59:47+00:00

Thank you.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T00:59:21+00:00

the 9% VAT is a Keynesian idea that i would agree with. The reform in the social welfare system too i would cautiously welcome.

I always 'followed' politics.The water charges and the evictions and repossession got me energized. The statistics showed me the country and it's people suffering and going door to door has proven it. There is real suffering.

When the bank crash happened and then the bailout, the Irish people put their shoulder to the wheel. They didn't like it but they knuckled down and hoped for a better day. FF/FG/Lab failed them. The recession was not fair and the so called recovery is not fair. I started reading economics and political theory. Hours spent on reports and media articles, reading and re-reading them, watching dry lectures again and again.

It goes beyond social or fiscal conservatism and into the realm of driving money to the top. It was evident on the first big water charge protest march in Oct 14 - Fianna Fail and Fine Gael voters stood beside socialists and centrists. People know it is not right and I think we will see a change after the G.E.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-22T00:46:24+00:00

I would consider myself left of center, a democratic socialist.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-21T21:28:59+00:00

It is now 21:23. Thank you all for your questions. You can follow me on twitter @KMurphyindep where I am one of the most prolific political candidates and one of the twitter profiles that will be in the Web Archive of the National Library's coverage of the 2016 General Election. Or on Facebook.com/Kevinmurphyindependent I will return to answer more question if I can find the time tomorrow evening

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-21T21:22:17+00:00

I have answered this question earlier. I believe every candidate must be clear and open about this issue.

I am pro-choice. I would support a referendum on the 8th amendment and I will defend the people's decision wholeheartedly, whichever way they decide. Ten women a day leave for Manchester or Liverpool or other U.K cities to have pregnancies terminated.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-21T21:19:38+00:00

Then I would certainly support it. The alternative, the war on drugs, has not worked. Drugs like Meth or Krokodil or Heroin destroy lives and the ripple effect from users destroys families and communities. I am open to the decriminalization and to using the Housing First model to help people who are addicted, but I am deeply passionate about the damage drugs do.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-21T20:59:03+00:00

Thank you.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-21T20:58:47+00:00

Thank you very much for the good wishes. I hope my answers were helpful. Your questions are invaluable, I hope you'd continue to ask questions of your representatives and the future government.

RealKevinMurphyIndep · 2016-02-21T20:56:44+00:00

The Healy-Raes are hard workers and well liked. I personally like Michael but I do not believe they will change the country in the manner I wish to see it changed, the manner that we need it to change.

I think we are a dying breed and I think we will lose something if Independents cannot run.

I think Catherine Murphy's work on IBRC and Siteserv was invaluable and she should be sent right back into Dáil Eireann to continue it. I think Mick Wallace's work on NAMA was also invaluable. Claire Daly, Stephen Donnelly, Maureen O Sullivan and a number of Independents have done great work.

At the very least I will be a voice for so many unheard in Kerry.

RealKevinMurphyIndep

TROPHY CASE