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These answers were provided by the party

EU integration
1 of 21 questions
European integration has gone too far
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "EU membership has been highly positive for our country. Fine Gael is the party of Europe. Our MEPs are at the heart of European policy-making, ensuring that the benefits of EU membership are felt in every part of Ireland. "

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "In Fine Gael we support the enlargement of our European Union. Ireland and the countries of Europe are stronger when we work together, bound by common values, including respect for democracy, individual freedoms, as well as the rule of law. "

- Fine Gael

Economic policy
3 of 21 questions
Corporation tax rates should be fully harmonised across the EU
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Fine Gael strongly defends Ireland’s right to decide our Corporation Tax as well as setting our own tax policies. "

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "Europe has changed dramatically in the last five years with Russia’s War on Ukraine, the Covid-19 Pandemic, and climate-related weather events, such as wildfires and flooding. The EU must have the resources necessary to help Member States meet these challenges. "

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "Fine Gael is a member of the European People’s Party, EPP, the largest and most influential political group in Europe. Ursula von der Leyen is a vice-president of the EPP and has ably led the European Commission through highly uncertain times globally. "

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "Russia has brought war to our continent with its illegal invasion of Ukraine. We’ve also endured attacks in other parts of Europe, including the cyberattack on the HSE here. While respecting our policy of military neutrality, Ireland can and should work to defend our European way of life. "

- Fine Gael

Defence
7 of 21 questions
The EU should have a common army
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Rather than a common army, the armed forces/defence forces of Member States should work together more often, e.g., through peace-keeping initiatives, and responses to humanitarian disasters."

- Fine Gael

Defence
8 of 21 questions
The EU should finance more weapons for Ukraine
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Each country has the right to defend itself against an invasion or an attack. While Ireland is militarily neutral, that has never prevented us from providing aid to countries, particularly humanitarian aid, to help civilians enduring the awful effects of war. "

- Fine Gael

Defence
9 of 21 questions
Ireland should retain its ‘triple lock’ rule for deploying troops
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "The current ‘triple lock’ means Russia, China and others have a say on where Irish troops are deployed. That is not acceptable. The Oireachtas and the Government of Ireland should have the final say, not Russia. It’s also important to note that changing the triple lock has no impact on neutrality. "

- Fine Gael

Foreign policy
10 of 21 questions
The EU should suspend its trade agreement with Israel
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Fine Gael has called for an urgent review of the EU’s trade agreement with Israel due to the conflict in Gaza and the Middle East, the loss of life and the suffering being endured by civilians. "

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "As Europe has grown the ability to act quickly has, at times, become more difficult. Fine Gael supports the move away from the unanimity principle in specific cases, such as when imposing sanctions on totalitarian regimes, e.g., Russia, and countries which show no regard for human rights."

- Fine Gael

Immigration
12 of 21 questions
Ireland should participate in the EU’s new migration pact
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Ireland has a firm, rules-based system for immigration. However, with an increase in the number of applications coupled with the fact that migration is an issue affecting all European countries, the new migration pact will update and strengthen our rules-based system. "

- Fine Gael

Immigration
13 of 21 questions
Member states should share responsibility for asylum applications in the EU
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "The increase in the number of migrants is a global issue, caused in large part by wars, famines and other disasters. The increase is a challenge that no one country can meet alone, Therefore, we must work together with our EU partners. "

- Fine Gael

Immigration
14 of 21 questions
The EU should operate search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Tackling callous and brutal people traffickers and smugglers is essential to reducing the dangers that people face, such as on journeys across the Mediterranean. We have a duty to help people in need which is exactly what our Navy has done in the Mediterranean in recent years. "

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "Our current system was designed when there were far fewer applicants per year. With the recent significant increases, Fine Gael is working with our government partners to provide more suitable accommodation while also ensuring decisions on applications are made as quickly as possible. "

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "During Brexit, we worked hard to ensure that there was no return of a hard border on the island of Ireland. Part of this ensured keeping the Common Travel Area with Britain working properly. Gardaí and the UK Border Force routinely work together to tackle issues, including abuse of the area. "

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "Fine Gael voted in favour of the EU’s Nature Restoration Law which aims to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030. It achieves a balance between actions to improve biodiversity while also safeguarding food security and guaranteeing that measures will be voluntary for farmers. "

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "In Ireland we’ve set ourselves a target of halving Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Fine Gael’s MEPs voted in favour of the EU Green Deal after securing changes that safeguarded food security and recognised the crucial role that farm families play as custodians of our environment. "

- Fine Gael

Environment
19 of 21 questions
More windfarms (including onshore windfarms) should be built in Ireland
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Ireland has some of the best wind energy resources in the world. Through engagement with communities & the oversight of the new marine area regulatory authority, we can tap into this vast source of renewable energy to become exporters of clean energy while also providing for our own energy needs. "

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "The Nitrates Derogation is critical to the viability of some family farms and the wider rural economy. It recognises the different type of farming in Ireland – grass-based, outdoors – when compared to other parts of Europe. Farmers are playing their part in improving water quality."

- Fine Gael

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
Comment: "Food security is essential. Ireland consistently ranks at the top of the Food Security Index. Our farmers are playing their part in reducing emissions & improving biodiversity. Ireland’s beef and dairy sectors produce food more efficiently than most other parts of the world. "

- Fine Gael