The mandate I have received and for which I will speak with heart and head to implement over the next seven years had its four pillars - an inclusive citizenship equality and participation and respect in a creative society creating an excellence in everything we Irish do.

For every successful actor or actress there are countless numbers who don't make it. The name of the game is rejection. You go to an audition and you're told you're too tall or you're too Irish or your nose is not quite right. You're rejected for your education you're rejected for this or that and it's really tough.

I'm Irish. I think about death all the time.

I grew up in a big Irish Catholic family. My dad was a pretty rough guy. So one of my brothers left home when he was 15 and found his way to the gym. It gave me the opportunity to go and spend some time with him and work out in the gym.

My mum's parents were from Ireland my dad's mum was American-Irish.

My dad's Irish music was such a huge influence.

My mother is Italian and my dad's Irish. In my family we're expressive. Nobody holds back.

I think there's nothing better than laughing in life so that's nice to be thought of as someone who can make someone laugh. It's 'cause I think life is hard. You know my dad was a really silly man. A great Irish silly man. And that's fine.

My dad's half-Lebanese my mom is full Lebanese. I'm three-quarters Lebanese. Irish-Lebanese.

I grew up in a predominantly Caucasian neighborhood but my mom is Filipino-Spanish and my dad is Irish.

Have you heard about the Irishman who reversed into a car boot sale and sold the engine?

To be honest I live among the English and have always found them to be very honest in their business dealings. They are noble hard-working and anxious to do the right thing. But joy eludes them they lack the joy that the Irish have.

I hope 'The Voice' has a fifteen-year run don't get me wrong. But I come from nothing and maybe it's the Irish in me but my attitude is always like 'They'll figure me out soon.'