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Dominic  Hannigan
Dominic Hannigan
Labour


Incumbent : No

Election history:

Meath County Councillor 2004-2009 Dail Candidate Meath 2005, 2007 Senator 2007-2011 Meat East TD 2011-2016

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:
"Labour wants a Social Europe based on equality and fairness, with a stronger role for the State to counterbalance the market and to better regulate private corporations."

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:
"Europe needs to do more to lead on climate action, to protect workers and raise pay, and to invest in public housing (as happened under Delors). At the same time, the EU should return powers which can be better delivered at national or local level"

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:
"We should co-operate when we wish to do so. But (as Labour’s manifesto pledges) we will advocate for Ireland’s tradition of military neutrality and safeguard our opt-outs from EU common defence policies."

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:
"We fully support fair common EU asylum and migration policy to ensure effective control of EU borders while fighting human trafficking, to protect those in need of asylum. We will seek European rules to ensure Ireland’s system of Direct Provision is replaced with a more humane system."

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:
"There must be a common European approach to prevent tax evasion by corporations. The Labour Party favours digital taxation and Financial Transaction Tax at European level. We will defend Ireland’s autonomy in relation to tax policy, while actively supporting EU measures to close tax loopholes."

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:
"It is not the time for a divisive border poll. Unification of the people of Ireland must come before unifying the jurisdictions. That means an open border and full commitment to the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, to build on 20 years of peace and much improved social and economic relations."

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:
"Labour will insist on an open Irish border. European Union rules need to be flexible to support existing businesses engaged in cross-border trade on our island. We need to make it as simple as possible for people to do business, with as little paperwork as possible."

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:
"Internationally, inequality of wealth has grown. The share of national income going to workers has fallen, while the share to investors has grown. Labour supports sensible taxation to redress this imbalance, along with higher wages for workers."

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:
"Ireland level of public spending is the second lowest in the OECD at 29% GDP, and still among the lowest even if GNI* is used to measure economic output. For equality, investment in healthcare, disability, education, transport and public housing would be fairer than tax cuts."

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:
"Carbon tax is needed to meet the climate emergency quickly enough, but Labour insists it is ring-fenced to reduce fuel poverty, to fund public transport and to fund a Green New Deal to create new, sustainable jobs. Opponents will have to raise other taxes to meet the climate challenge."

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:
"There should be a balance approach: more investment in cycling and walking infrastructure (with 10% of the budget), along with better public transport and support to make electric vehicles more affordable."

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:
"We will demand all funds for Traveller housing are drawn down and used at local level."

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:
"Violent and sexual crimes can and should have minimum sentences imposed by law, but not rigid mandatory sentencing."

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:
"Labour long campaigned for women’s reproductive rights. The people voted convincingly in favour of allowing the Oireachtas to introduce legislation on the termination of pregnancy in a specified, and limited, range of circumstances that respect women’s health."

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:
"Census shows that ‘no religion’ is the fastest growing group (from 4.4% in 2006 to 9.8% in 2016), and those identifying as Catholic has declined (from 88.4% to 78.3%), with new religious minorities. State-funded schools should be neutral on religion, while respecting individual beliefs."

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:
"This is Labour Party policy, confirmed by Conference in 2018."