Main message to voters:
Another Europe is absolutely possible, but if we want a different, better Europe, we need to elect different people. The EU needs tenacious politicians who'll stand up for ordinary citizens & whether it's abortion rights or Garda whistleblowers, I've never been afraid to speak out against the herd.
Election history:
Clare Daly was first elected to Fingal County Council in 1999, and was subsequently re-elected in 2004 and 2009. She was elected to the Dáil for Dublin North in 2011 and in the Fingal constituency in 2016.
Priorities:
- Other Irish neutrality - The EU's current militaristic direction is extremely concerning, and as a neutral state we need to speak up vehemently against it.
- Other Climate change - We have 12 years to save the planet. Tinkering around the edges won't cut it - we need to take serious and radical action now.
- Other Making Europe work for citizens, not corporations.
Candidate positions on the election issues:
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
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:
"It depends what you mean by integration - I'm all for integration in terms of workers' rights, human rights, citizens' rights, and all for EU solidarity and cooperation, but have a concern that 'European integration' can often just mean smoothing the way for big business to profit more easily."
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:
"EU defence cooperation at this point is a euphemism for militarism, and we should have nothing to do with it. Ireland is a neutral state, and our neutrality is incredibly important - to our citizens & to our standing globally. We should defend it, not undermine it by supporting EU militarism."
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
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 writing is already on the wall for our policy of facilitating tax avoidance by multinationals-the Commission has the wind in its sails on it & the OECD BEPs process is already in train. We need to accept low tax/tax avoidance has had its day as an economic policy & come up with alternatives."
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:
"I'm personally in favour of a referendum, but the timing of one would have to be carefully and sensitively managed. Brexit has created a situation where people who would previously never have been in favour of a united Ireland now might be, but we still have to be sensitive to different views on it."
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
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
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
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:
"A carbon tax on consumers absent a decisive push to tax the corporations who extract fossil fuels, or who are its biggest users, is regressive, will hit the poorest hardest, and will spark public backlash. We need to target the biggest polluters first, to ensure a just energy transition."
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
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
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:
"Mandatory sentences have been shown time and again to be completely ineffective as a deterrent, and both the Law Reform Commission Report and the 2014 Strategic Review of Penal Policy made clear recommendations after extensive study that no new mandatory sentencing schemes should be introduced."
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
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:
"I fully agree in the interests of equity of access to schools, but it's key that the Department handles the process transparently, and keeps all lines of communication open. A recent backlash in North County Dublin showed how poor communication from the Dept. is incredibly damaging to the process."
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