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Adrienne Wallace
Adrienne Wallace
People Before Profit


Incumbent : No

Priorities:

  1. Other Housing: This is the worst housing crisis in the history of the state. I want to open vacant homes, build public housing and bring in rent controls.
  2. Other Healthcare for all: I want 24/7 cardiac care facilities, more funding to cut waiting lists and to improve access to child mental health services.
  3. Other Climate action: Leave fossil fuels in the ground. Move to free, expanded public transport and invest in retrofitting. Oppose the Shannon LNG terminal.

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
Comment:
"I want to address the democratic deficit within the EU. EU commissioners get a salary of 22,000 a month, plus entertainment allowances. I want commissioners’ pay to be cut and for this role to be elected by the people. I would ban corporate lobbyists from Brussels."

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

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:
"I oppose an EU army: and want to get Ireland out of PESCO. This is a neutral country and we should not be drawn into big power conflicts. The PESCO treaty commits us to increased military spending. I want public money to be spent on building homes and taking action on climate change, not on bombs."

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 have a duty to open the borders of Europe, including Ireland, to all those fleeing persecution and war. I want to stop war and militarism, not refugees."

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:
"I believe that every corporation should be paying a minimal tax rate of 12.5%. That way we could build up the fund to tackle our housing crisis and provide decent public services for all who live here."

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 am for an end to partition. I would support a referendum for a new united Ireland."

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:
"I am against a hard border. If the EU insists on such a border, the Irish government should state that the peace and security of this island are more important than EU rules. If moves are still made to impose a hard border, we will join with others in civil disobedience to remove border posts."

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:
"Ireland is a wealthy country in the depths of housing and healthcare crises. I am for a fair redistribution of wealth in order the meet the needs of all, not benefit the excesses of a wealthy minority."

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:
"I am opposed to tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of funding for public services. To tackle the housing crisis, we at People Before Profit want to break EU spending rules and launch a massive public house-building programme to provide much needed homes."

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:
"I want a carbon tax on corporations. Corporations and the excessive consumption of the super-rich - not ordinary people - have caused the climate crisis. I want to 1) ban fossil fuel extraction 2) invest in renewable energy and public transport and 3) shift agriculture from dairy towards forestry."

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:
"I want to shift Ireland away from car-dependency. To do so, we need to provide alternatives. People Before Profit want to invest in public transport infrastructure and light-rail systems in our cities as well as cycle lanes. We want to make public transport free, as has been done in Luxembourg."

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 at People Before Profit would establish an agency to oversee the delivery of culturally appropriate Traveller accommodation and to ensure that budgets for Traveller accommodation are being used by local authorities to address the scandal of funding going unspent."

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

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:
"I am for a woman's right to choose what is right for her. I want abortion services to be free, safe and legal and provided through the health service. I also want free childcare for all so that people are equally free to choose to have a family."

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 want to end Church control of our education system, which should be funded and managed by the state. I want requirements for compulsory religious instruction to be abolished and instead for religious groups (and non-religious groups) to have optional access to school facilities after school hours."

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:
"I support the BDS campaign and stand in solidarity with the Palestinians. "