Viktoriya O'Cullane: "A Presidency for All"

"I wouldn't say there was a specific moment. I had the idea of running for more than a year now. After having consulted the Commission for Presidential Nominations issues, and taking their criticisms on how to improve and having multiple people telling me to actually pursue it this time, I decided to do it."

"Well, I've been in Ireland for more than 5 years now, and it surely has changed me. I've gotten many opportunities to prove myself in positions I never thought I would reach, making me not only stronger but also giving me crucial experience for the current day."

"I am the Chieftan of Clan O'Cullane, meaning I'm a part of a Clan that boasts some of Ireland's most notorious figures. I am also the mother of the sitting Uachtarán, Cillian Cailean."

"I would certainly say people like TadghOCullane, Biorach, seaquatic or Daveids."

"If I am to be honest here, there have been way too many memories for there to be that 'favourite' one."

O'Cullane's vision is comprehensive and ambitious: "My vision for the presidency is a presidency for all, one that's open and accessible to every citizen of Ireland as possible. I want to transform the office into an advisory role from everyone from Oireachtas Clerks, to Government Ministers. I want to make people feel comfortable, welcome and give them an opportunity to speak to someone that has walked the same path as them and who has seen Ireland's highest and lowest points to offer them the best possible advice."

"Some people would try and tell you that the Presidency is this useless, archaic figure of the past, and whilst it is often the final tick on the bucket list for most Presidents, I want to use it not to finish my career, but to guide people on their own. The Presidency has and always will be the figurehead of Ireland on the world stage, the living and breathing perception of Ireland to most people. The state of the Presidency reflects the state of the nation and its people. That's why the importance of this opportunity to hold the office is not lost on me, rather, I hold it at the heart of every word I utter, every speech I make and every poster my team puts together."

"I would say one say, on a more serious note, that I am the only candidate who has a 'clean record', not having been banned or seriously moderated in the past. On the other side I am the only candidate to have been Chief of Staff, have physically defended Ireland from British attacks in 2022 and am the only one who has led both houses of the Oireachtas. This valuable experience allows me to relate to each and every Irish citizen. I have been in all of their shoes, and in these trying times where the circumstances are scarily familiar, I know that that understanding is more important than ever."

"Well as I so often boast I have walked all walks of Irish life. I understand what 'service' means and in my opinion, to serve the people is to contribute to the common good. Not to make exceptions nor excuses but to take pride in your work, to care for the people you work for, and to take into account the effect that your every word might have on not only the integrity of the office, but the people that put you in it. When I speak of serving the people, I see the electorate as my direct employer. I see the responsibilities of a public servant as this; to meet the needs of the public - nothing less."

"The Presidency is a powerful diplomatic role. To meet the President as a foreign dignitary is rare, and this is extremely important to protect its prestige. I intend to reserve the use of the Presidency in diplomacy for only the most important, high-stakes scenarios to ensure the effect is maximised. Whilst I intend to reserve my direct presence in diplomatic matters, I intend to be there at all times for the Taoiseach, and the Ministers to give them advice based on my lived experiences."

"The President should primarily take on a uniting role in times of crisis, bringing the country closer together and giving out strength. As I remarked earlier, the state of the Presidency reflects the state of both the nation, and its people."

"Obviously I will try to engage in a civil manner with both the Government and Oireachtas, that much should be expected from every candidate this election. However I would also say that it is important to mention that one should not be too soft on either of them, as they can be quite rough behaving. Sometimes they should be told off or told to 'make it work'."

"Through a plethora of events such as surgeries, tours, visits, garden parties etc."

"There have been many tough decisions to make if I'm honest, but thinking about it, it might've been chairing the Dáil as Cathaoirleach, when there were no clerks, no CC and no LCC present. From that I've learnt that even if you have good intentions, they may not always be recognised by everyone and that it is easy to overstep boundaries in moments of pressure."

"I would personally say that having been Cathaoirleach for more than one entire year prepares me best for the presidency, due to it being such a long commitment and also making one work with both sides of the house, leading them in a civilised manner."

"If confronted with criticisms I would obviously try to understand them firstly and really think myself into the point of view of it. Then I would obviously try to improve off of them and not repeat the same mistakes. And as these things sound blatantly obvious to many, they aren't for everyone apparently."

"Well a very up-to-date example of that would be the Seanad reform I have been working on with all parties represented in the Dáil and Seanad. I had to gather support from each and every one of them. After improving the overall design of the reform, it is now in the process of being legislated. And even though this isn't something that's yet completed, it shows that I am capable of working across party lines."

"There have been a lot of surprises for I would say, from other candidates completely changing their personality to seeing people, even close friends whom I would have thought to support me, support other candidates. But if I am honest, these surprises are to be expected always in some form or way."

"Ireland especially needs consistent, active and reliable leadership currently."

"I want to see a more prosperous Ireland for everyone, where peace with the British is constant, where Ireland is of relevance internationally, where parties are able to find compromises and govern in a stable way for the sake of democracy, where Irish politics are no more plagued by toxicity. And while the President doesn't exactly have the powers to 'enforce' these visions, the President can influence them in some ways."