Landy is a former Labour party member, and will be running as an Independent. He lives in Oranmore, and ran in the local council elections this year, but lost. He also unsuccessfully contested the European Elections for the Labour party.

I feel strongly that it is important that the people of Galway East have the option to vote for a strong, progressive, centre left candidate. People are deeply frustrated that as a relatively affluent country, we have utterly failed over many years to provide people with access to proper public services in areas like housing, physical and mental health, disability services, a public model of early education and care, or public transport. I think there is a real issue with how regional and rural development is to be achieved in a fair and sustainable manner. We have a chance to invest in our rural towns and villages to build inclusive, cohesive communities and I would love to contribute to that for Galway East.

The most immediate and overt issue is clearly housing, and I want to see that addressed urgently! But the less overt but no less critical issue that I want to raise is the harmful impact of smartphone usage on our young people and the government’s failure to regulate social media companies to remove or reduce this harm. Parenting today is challenging with a worrying increase in anxiety and depression amongst children and now an ever-present risk in the form of inappropriate content or bullying online. Whilst the State will never have all the answers for parents, it can make the task easier by creating a supportive environment through prevention and early intervention support in the early years of family life and beyond and by standing up to the companies who are putting our children at risk to turn a profit.

On behalf of the people of Galway East, I would welcome the re-introduction of the Occupied Territories Bill before the 34th Dáil whilst expressing regret that it was not passed during the previous term. Ireland must be consistent in the application of our neutrality and in our respect for international law. Our failure to sanction the Israeli government for its genocide in Gaza, its apartheid, and disregard of international law, undermines our credibility. We need to pass the Occupied Territories Bill, stop all military and dual use goods trade with Israel and stop the use of Shannon airport and Irish airspace by the U.S military. We must have credibility to use all our diplomatic influence as a force for peace whether for a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza, preventing expansion of settlements in the Westbank, or supporting peace in Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen or indeed anywhere in a world where so many appalling conflicts are taking place.