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Barry Andrews

Barry Andrews

Fianna Fáil

My priorities include protecting 1.3 million Irish jobs tied to EU trade, boosting Europe’s competitiveness, and establishing a European Health Union to lower medicine costs and secure essential drug supplies. Additionally, I aim to reduce household energy costs and ensure Europe's energy security.

These answers were provided by the candidate

EU integration
1 of 21 questions
European integration has gone too far
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
EU enlargement
2 of 21 questions
It would be good if Ukraine joins the EU in the next five years
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"Fianna Fáil supports a European future for the people of Ukraine and views EU membership as a long-term security guarantee. We actively lobbied for and support the decision to open accession negotiations and call for a speedy process. "

- Fianna Fáil

Economic policy
3 of 21 questions
Corporation tax rates should be fully harmonised across the EU
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"We will not allow the competitive Irish economy to be wilfully mischaracterised as a “tax haven”. We will continue to oppose any erosion of Member State competency in tax and ensure companies in Ireland have tax planning certainty at an internationally competitive rate."

- Fianna Fáil

Economic policy
4 of 21 questions
The EU budget should be increased, even if this means wealthy countries paying more
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"Fianna Fáil will support additional payments from Ireland to the Multi-annual Financial Framework only if our priorities (upholding of the Rule of Law and commitment to the green and digital revolutions) are protected and advanced."

- Fianna Fáil

Commission President
5 of 21 questions
Ursula von der Leyen should receive a second term as Commission President
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"We are conducting extensive consultations to decide which nominee to support. The outcome of the elections is a factor for all states in determining who to support. After the elections, we must come together in the European Council and propose a nominee, for approval by the European Parliament."

- Fianna Fáil

Defence
6 of 21 questions
EU member states, including Ireland, should collaborate more on defence and security
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"Collaboration on defence and security is not limited to military activities. E.g. the European Defence Fund has funded projects in both Maynooth and NUIG on cybersecurity training and medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks. "

- Fianna Fáil

Defence
7 of 21 questions
The EU should have a common army
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Defence
8 of 21 questions
The EU should finance more weapons for Ukraine
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"We support EU sanctions which financially/diplomatically punish Russia and limit its ability to wage war. We will continue political, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and will not stand in the way of Member States providing military assistance. "

- Fianna Fáil

Defence
9 of 21 questions
Ireland should retain its ‘triple lock’ rule for deploying troops
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"We do not support Putin’s regime, China, or indeed the other UNSC permanent members, having a veto over the deployment of the Irish defence forces to peace keeping missions. "

- Fianna Fáil

Foreign policy
10 of 21 questions
The EU should suspend its trade agreement with Israel
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Foreign policy
11 of 21 questions
Each member state should have a veto on EU foreign policy
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Immigration
12 of 21 questions
Ireland should participate in the EU’s new migration pact
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"We need a fair, rules-based immigration system, which respects both the integrity of our borders and the dignity of people trying to access better lives in the EU. This is reflected in the new Migration and Asylum Pact."

- Fianna Fáil

Immigration
13 of 21 questions
Member states should share responsibility for asylum applications in the EU
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Immigration
14 of 21 questions
The EU should operate search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Immigration
15 of 21 questions
Ireland needs to do more to ensure asylum applicants have suitable accommodation
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Immigration
16 of 21 questions
There should be checkpoints at the border with Northern Ireland to limit the number of asylum seekers coming to Ireland
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Environment
17 of 21 questions
The EU’s Nature Restoration Law, requiring rewetting of peatlands, should be adopted
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"Our policy is that landowner participation in nature restoration is voluntary. Rewetting targets can be achieved using state lands only past mid-2040s. We advocate for farmers to be provided with strong funding to ensure they are rewarded for restoration activities they may volunteer to undertake. "

- Fianna Fáil

Environment
18 of 21 questions
The EU’s goal of a 55% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is too ambitious
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Environment
19 of 21 questions
More windfarms (including onshore windfarms) should be built in Ireland
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"With increased wind energy, Ireland can achieve energy independence & become a net exporter of renewable energy. Floating offshore wind is well suited to our south & west coasts. Its development should be fast tracked. Our MEPs will ensure that wind projects receive adequate funding & resources."

- Fianna Fáil

Agriculture
20 of 21 questions
Ireland should continue to seek special treatment for Irish farmers on the Nitrates (water quality) directive
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comments:

"We are absolutely committed to working in every way possible to make sure that Ireland retains its derogation. We will robustly advocate through the European Parliament the reasons why Ireland’s derogation should be continued and the work underway at farm level to ensure water quality improves. "

- Fianna Fáil

Agriculture
21 of 21 questions
The EU should reduce subsidies for high-emissions farming, such as beef and dairy
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion