De Barra describes himself as one supporting human rights, social justice and well-being in his Twitter bio. Separately, he worked for the Council of Europe after graduating from the Irish Centre of Human Rights. He is the director of Help Not Harm, an organisation that advocates for a health-based, non-punitive approach to drug policy and legislation.

I’m running because Ireland’s neutrality is under threat, while ordinary working people are being squeezed by inflation. The connection is clear: war drives up energy costs and diverts public funds to military budgets instead of housing, healthcare, and education. We need leaders who will stand for peace and ensure that our resources serve the people, not private interests profiting from global conflict.

The housing crisis and high energy prices are devastating families and communities. These costs are driven by war disrupting global supply chains, while governments prioritise military spending over real solutions. Ireland’s greatest challenge is a corrupt political system that allows people to suffer while protecting corporate profits. Our streets have also become unsafe, with gangland activity drawing vulnerable children into a life of crime. We need immediate action to cap rents, invest in public housing, and save local businesses that are the backbone of culture in our cities and towns from closing.

My first speech would demand urgent action to revitalise our city streets through social and health investments, including converting derelict buildings into housing and opening a drug consumption room. I would call for Ireland to lead an international push for a ceasefire, ending wars that drive up energy costs and displace millions. I would demand accountability from politicians who fail to deliver on housing and push for our resources to be used to solve the cost-of-living crisis, not fund foreign wars that undermine our neutrality.