Main message to voters:
I want to create a political culture characterised by fairness and accountability, where politicians stand by their principles and election promises. A country where everyone has timely access to housing and healthcare, where farmers, small business-owners, carers and pensioners are treated fairly
Election history:
I was the Aontú candidate in the local elections 2019 for Galway City Council. A native of Galway city, I ran my own business for many years, and for nearly 25 years have taken part in community voluntary work.
Priorities:
- Other Health – basic physical and mental healthcare is a right: we need efficiencies and resources, making quality healthcare available when it's needed.
- Other Housing - Will provide financial incentives to ensure that vacant land/houses are used. Stop financial supports to international vulture funds.
- Other Traffic – make public transport work - we need more buses, better routes, more reliable buses, proper bus shelters, school buses and light rail.
Candidate positions on the election issues:
Taxes and Spending
The government should prioritise putting money aside for future challenges (e.g. Brexit) rather than putting it back into the economy now
The government now takes in more money than it spends. Some argue that this should be set aside to prepare for shocks like Brexit or a sharp reduction in corporation tax revenue. Others argue that the priority should be putting money into the economy through higher public spending or tax cuts.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"We need to prioritise our citizens having adequate housing and healthcare first - this is an absolute basic requirement for the state, and an area of failure for recent governments."
When there is scope for tax cuts or public spending increases, what should be done?
During the recession, new taxes were introduced and public spending was cut. Some argue that when possible, the government should 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.
Significant tax cuts
Some tax cuts and some increases in spending on public services
Significant increase in spending on public services
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Good quality housing and timely access to healthcare will require investment. The next government needs to find efficiencies and to eradicate the waste of money endemic in our administration. "
Should taxes on lower earners (below €35,000) be increased or decreased?
Currently, people earning under €16,500 do not pay income tax. People earning over that pay the standard rate of 20%. There is also the Universal Social Charge: those earning under €13,000 are exempt, while those earning up to €20,000 pay up to 2%, rising to 4.5% for earnings over that amount.
Increased
Stay the same
Decreased
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"We need to fund better services, but lower earners should not pay the price for this. It would be unrealistic and disingenuous to suggest a drop in taxes, but a disproportional burden should not be placed on those least able to afford it."
Should taxes on middle earners (€35,000-€70,000) be increased or decreased?
The standard rate of income tax is 20%, which applies to all income up €35,300 (for a single person); earnings above that are taxed at 40%. The Universal Social Charge is 4.5% on income between €20,000 and €70,000.
Increased
Stay the same
Decreased
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"The 'squeezed middle' have suffered in recent years, with spiralling rents, childcare, and health insurance, but with little improvements in public services to compensate for the increased burden of taxation following the 2008 recession. "
Should taxes on high earners (over €70,000) be increased or decreased?
The standard rate of income tax is 20%, which applies to all income up €35,300 (for a single person); earnings above that are taxed at 40%. The Universal Social Charge is 8% on earnings over €70,000.
Increased
Stay the same
Decreased
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"A short term increase to establish better services, while finding efficiencies. "
Should corporation taxes be increased or decreased?
Ireland’s corporate tax rate is 12.5%, which is low by international standards. Many large companies pay a much lower rate in practice. This makes us attractive for multinationals, which are a major contributor to the economy; it has also led to accusations of Ireland being a tax haven.
Increased
Stay the same
Decreased
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"We need to stimulate enterprise and not penalise the smaller employer. However large multinational corporations need to pay a just rate of tax."
Housing and Health
Should the local property tax rates be increased or decreased?
The standard rate of LPT is 0.18% of a property’s market value. This rate can be adjusted up or down by the local authority. The revenue raised is used to fund local services and some of it is redistributed to other local authorities. LPT currently makes up less than 1% of all tax revenue.
Increased
Stay the same
Decreased
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"At present there is little value for money. Until a benefit can be clearly established to the ratepayer, they must be reduced."
A rent freeze should be introduced across the country
Currently, rent increases are limited to 4% in ‘rent pressure zones’. Some argue that there should be a blanket rent freeze, so landlords could not increase rents at all for a period. Others argue that a rent freeze would drive landlords out of the sector and reduce the supply of houses for rent.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Especially in urban areas where long term low income earners, those in receipt of social welfare and pensioners are being forced from their homes and communities."
Much more resources should be directed to building local authority housing, even if that means cutting back in other areas or raising taxes
Some argue that local authority house building should be increased dramatically, as there are almost 70,000 people on waiting lists. Others favour alternative methods of solving the housing crisis, such as encouraging more private development or providing more supports for people to rent or buy.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"This is essential."
The best solution to the housing crisis is to incentivise more building by private developers
To solve the housing crisis, some argue we need to incentivise developers to build more houses (e.g. by reducing taxes on construction or introducing harsher penalties for ‘land hording’). Others argue that the solution should instead focus on building more local authority housing.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"It's not the BEST solution, but part of the solution. We need to incentivise building by private developers, but more importantly our state needs to provide social housing for those who cannot afford the current high prices. Increasing the housing stock is imperative to make housing affordable."
There should be free health care for all, even those on higher incomes
Currently, only some people are entitled to a medical card or free GP care. Many people who can afford it choose to take out private health insurance. Some argue that there should be universal health care for most medical treatments, paid with public funds. Others say this would cost too much.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"We cannot afford this at the moment. we need to adequately resource the existing system first."
Environment
What should the focus be for investment in transport?
Some say we need to reduce our dependence on cars, and invest in sustainable transport instead (e.g. buses, trains, cycling, walking). Others argue that failing to invest in our road network will damage the economy. Currently we spend more on roads than on public transport and cycleways.
Continue to prioritise investment in roads
Spread resources evenly between roads and public transport/cycle lanes
Cut spending on roads and invest significantly in public transport and cycle lanes
No opinion/skip
New petrol and diesel vehicles should be banned in the next ten years
The draft Climate Action Bill aims to ban the sale of new fossil fuel cars from 2030 in an effort to reduce emissions. Critics say that this is unrealistic.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"No point in doing this if we don't have feasible public transport alternatives. "
Should carbon taxes be increased?
Carbon tax applies to fossil fuels, e.g. oil, petrol, diesel, gas. It recently increased from €20 to €26 per tonne of CO2. The Climate Change Advisory Council recommends a rapid increase (€80 per tonne by 2030). Critics say that carbon tax disproportionately impacts those on low incomes.
Increased significantly (reaching €80 per tonne by 2030)
Increased at a more moderate rate
No increases
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Increase carbon taxes to the industries that are causing the greatest emissions. It's not fair to make the householder bear the brunt of the cost."
There should be a tax on greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture
Agriculture is a key sector in the Irish economy. It is also responsible for 33% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. Some have called for a new tax on greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, but opponents say that would be too damaging to the agri-food industry.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Our agriculture sector is already under pressure. Let's start with industry."
Immigration, moral and social issues
Should immigration into Ireland be made more restrictive or less restrictive?
Non-Irish nationals make up 12.7% of the population, most of whom came from the EU. Work permits are issued to people from other countries only with a well-paid job offer in certain occupations. Some say immigration puts pressure on services; while others say it is needed to tackle job shortages.
More restrictive
Stay the same
Less restrictive
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"We need immigration. However, we need to end the inhumane system of direct provision and provide better alternatives, allowing people to work."
More resources should be given to improving conditions for asylum seekers
Asylum seekers are housed in Direct Provision centres. Some argue that conditions are poor and have a negative effect on the physical and mental health of residents. Others disagree and argue that improving conditions would cost too much and could attract more asylum seekers to Ireland.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Absolutely. The direct provision system is a national disgrace."
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/skip
Comment:
"I opposed the repeal of the 8th amendment, and am committed to working towards making the legislation less extreme and more humane."
Small towns and villages should not be forced to accommodate asylum seekers
There are approximately 6,000 asylum seekers living in Ireland. Many are accommodated in or near small towns and villages, where it is easier to find private premises to use as Direct Provision centres. In some cases locals have opposed this on the grounds that their town might be overwhelmed.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Asylum seekers deserve a better system than direct provision system. We need to ensure integration, and this may require a more thoughtful approach matching people to amenities rather than placing people in low cost centres with little thought for their welfare."
The Church has too much control over Irish schools and hospitals
The Catholic Church runs a number of private hospitals. Most primary schools & many secondary schools are under the patronage of the Church. Some say the Church provides invaluable services in health and education, while others say that a Catholic ethos is being imposed against people’s wishes.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Political and constitutional issues
The reunification of Ireland would create more problems than it would solve
Some people are opposed to the division of Ireland and believe that reunification should happen as soon as possible. Others disagree on the grounds that Unionists in Northern Ireland do not want it, or because they believe it would be too expensive for the Irish government.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Irish citizens living abroad (including Northern Ireland) should have a vote in Presidential elections
A referendum on this has been proposed. Some argue that political participation should be a core aspect of citizenship, regardless of where you live. Others say that there are too many citizens living abroad, and that they may be out of touch with what is going on in Ireland.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Our NI dwelling Irish people should have a vote -after all - they can run for presidential elections."
A referendum on Irish unity should be held during the lifetime of the next government
The Good Friday Agreement allows for a referendum in Northern Ireland & the Republic on a united Ireland, if there is evidence that unification is desired by a majority. Some say that, in light of Brexit, a border poll should be held soon. Others believe this would be premature and divisive.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
The voting age should be lowered to 16
18 is the most common minimum voting age internationally, but some countries have reduced it to 16. Proponents argue that young people should have a say as it affects their future, while opponents argue that many 16-year-olds lack the maturity to vote responsibly.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
EU and international affairs
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 and for economic stability.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"The EU is an essential force for stability, and Ireland's membership has been positive. That said, power is centralised and authority unaccountable. It is time for reform, and more direct democracy."
Ireland should cooperate with other EU member states on defence
Ireland has recently joined the PESCO framework, which seeks to increase defence cooperation between EU states. It commits members to work together on military planning & 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/skip
Ireland should boycott Israeli goods produced in the occupied territories
A proposed law would make it an offence to import or sell goods originating in an occupied territory. Proponents say this will show solidarity with Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Critics say it discriminates unfairly against Israel, and could undermine important links with the US.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip