Party positions on the election issues:
These positions were provided by the party
EU
Ireland should remain in the EU
Some people believe that Ireland should leave the EU, particularly in the wake of Brexit, as the UK is our most important trading partner. Others argue that EU membership continues to be beneficial for Ireland, both economically, socially, and in terms of our political influence.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We seek to elect a left-wing government in Ireland that will defy EU rules on state spending or which insists on more privatisation. The democratic wishes of the Irish people are more important than EU rules that are made by corporate lobbyists in Brussels. That makes us an EU critical party."
European integration has gone too far
Some people argue that the EU interferes too much in the affairs of member states, and powers should be returned to the national level. Others argue that further integration is necessary to tackle shared challenges like climate change and internet privacy rights and for economic stability.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We are for internationalism and have no problems with decision-making on a European basis. But the key issue is democracy. Under the current structures, only the unelected EU Commission can propose laws. In the current context, we will defend the right of the Irish people to make their own decisions."
Ireland should cooperate with other EU member states on defence
Ireland has recently joined the PESCO framework, which seeks to increase defence cooperation in the EU. It commits members to work together on military planning and to increase defence spending. It does not create an EU army, but some oppose it because they see it as a step in that direction.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Completely opposed. The EU elite are currently pushing for more military spending and for the creation of an EU army. We defend Irish neutrality and reject PESCO which commits us to increasing defence spending five-fold. We should be increasing its spending on housing – not on bombs and guns. "
If an EU member state is overwhelmed with asylum applications, other member states (including Ireland) should share the burden
There is an unequal distribution of asylum seekers across EU member states. In 2015 the EU introduced a one-off relocation scheme, moving asylum-seekers from Greece and Italy to other member states (including Ireland). Some have argued that a permanent relocation scheme should be introduced.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Europe should take in more asylum seekers. It is a scandal that the EU is allowing thousands of migrants to die in the Mediterranean Sea to ‘deter others’’. And, yes, Ireland should take in more asylum seekers."
Ireland should defend its low corporation tax in the face of pressure for EU harmonisation
Ireland's low corporate tax makes it an attractive location for multinationals, which are a major employer in Ireland. It has also led to accusations of Ireland being a ‘tax haven’. The European Commission has proposed harmonising corporate tax rules to create a level playing field across the EU.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The one good thing the EU did was to demand that Apple pay back €13bn in corporation tax. Few corporations actually pay the 12.5% rate of tax because there are some many loopholes to reduce their ‘taxable’ income. We want them to immediately pay a minimum rate of 12.5% and then increase it further."
Brexit
In the wake of Brexit, a referendum should be held on Irish unity
The Good Friday Agreement allows for a unification referendum (‘border poll’) in Northern Ireland and the Republic, if there is evidence that it is desired by a majority. Some have argued that, in light of Brexit, this should now be put on the agenda. Others believe that it would be divisive.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Definitely. The partition of Ireland was imposed by a colonial power and is a running sore in Irish society. As James Connolly predicted, it has led to a carnival of reaction where conservative politicians shelter behind a green and orange flag. The sooner we have a 32 county Ireland, the better."
Ireland should refuse to install checks on the border with Northern Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, Ireland would have different customs and regulatory requirements to Northern Ireland. The EU may require that Ireland establish border checks with Northern Ireland to ensure the integrity of the EU’s single market.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We go further. The Irish government should make a declaration now that it will not follow any instruction to impose a hard border. The peace and security of this island are far more important than determining which piece of meat or cheese came from the North or South of Ireland."
Tax and Spending
Wealthy people should have to pay more tax than they do now
Some believe that there should be greater redistribution of wealth from rich to poor, achieved through taxes on income or wealth. Others believe that taxes are high enough already, and increases could be bad for the economy.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"When vulture funds get away with paying €250 tax on huge profits, how can anyone argue against a major increase in taxing the rich? We need to prevent the wealthy declaring themselves as ‘tax fugitives’ and impose taxes on them that will help develop high quality public services. "
Increases in public spending should be prioritised over tax cuts
During the recession, new taxes were introduced (e.g. USC) and spending was cut on public services. Some argue that the government should now cut taxes to put money back into people’s pockets. Others argue that the priority should be to increase public spending in areas such as housing and health.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"False choice. The real issue is who - or what social class - should be paying more taxes. We want to close the tax loopholes for corporations and introduce a wealth tax so that we can fund better public services. E.g if we took the €13bn Apple tax, we could go a long way to improve our health service."
Environment and transport
Increases to carbon tax should be opposed
Carbon tax is a tax on fossil fuels such as oil, petrol, diesel, and gas. Currently, Ireland has a carbon tax of €20 per tonne of CO2. The Climate Change Advisory Council recommends that this is gradually increased to €80 per tonne in order to reduce emissions and tackle climate change.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"There is little evidence that carbon taxes work. You need to make structural changes to facilitate a change in individual behaviour. So, let’s move towards free public transport. Let’s leave fossil fuels in the ground. And let’s have public investment in renewables and a home insulation programme."
The government should prioritise spending on public transport and cycle lanes over roads
Some argue that we need to reduce our dependence on cars, and invest in sustainable transport instead. Others argue that failing to invest in our road network will damage the economy. The current capital investment plan includes more spending on roads than on public transport and cycleways.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We need to get people out of cars. Dublin is currently the fourth slowest city in Europe for moving about by car. There are just too many cars on the road. We need to prioritise investment in public transport over roads."
Social issues
More should be done to provide accommodation for Travellers, even if there is local opposition
The Department of the Environment provides funding to local authorities for Traveller accommodation (e.g. halting sites and group housing schemes), but many local authorities have been reluctant to build these sites due to local opposition, and much of the money allocated for this remains unspent.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Councils should be required to use their Traveller accommodation budget and city managers who fail to do that should be removed from office. It is a basic human rights issue."
There should be mandatory sentencing for violent crimes
A mandatory sentence is one which must be imposed regardless of the individual circumstances of the case. Currently, murder carries a mandatory life sentence in Ireland, and some drug trafficking and firearm offenses have mandatory sentences. For other crimes, judges have discretion on sentencing.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We need to tackle the cause of crimes rather than measures which sound strong on paper but have little impact on real life. How would mandatory sentences on drug dealing, for example, tackle with the growth in drug addiction in Ireland today? A harm reduction strategy would be far more effective. "
The liberalisation of abortion in Ireland has gone too far
The legislation introduced after the 2018 referendum allows for terminations for any reason up to 12 weeks in a pregnancy. Terminations are only permitted after this date (and before the foetus becomes viable) if there is a serious risk to the health of the pregnant woman.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"There are a still some restrictions accessing abortion. Why for example does a pregnant person have to visit a doctor twice and be asked to re-consider their choice before getting an abortion?"
A lot more religious-run schools should become multi-denominational
96% of primary schools in Ireland are religious-run. There is an ongoing ‘divestment’ process, designed to change some schools with a religious patron (such as the Catholic Church) to become multi-denominational schools. Some schools and religious leaders oppose the plan.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We need to separate church and state. That means the churches should not be running our schools and hospitals. We have no difficulty with religious or non-religious groups having access to schools after hours and on a voluntary basis. But not controlling them."
International
Ireland should boycott Israeli goods produced in the occupied territories
The ‘Occupied Territories’ bill will make it an offence to import goods from an occupied territory. Supporters say this will show solidarity with Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Critics say it discriminates unfairly against Israel, and threatens important economic links with the US.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"An international boycott helped to bring down the apartheid regime in South Africa. A boycott of Israeli goods can help build international solidarity with the Palestinians people who are being oppressed daily."