Sinn Féin would introduce Solidarity Tax of 3% on individual incomes above €140,000 and remove tax credits on a tapered basis on individual incomes over €100,000. - source: party

Our focus is on increasing taxes on wealth rather than income, but that if income taxes are to rise, it should be borne by those on the highest incomes. Ireland is a relatively low-tax country compared to our European counterparts. - source: party

People on huge salaries should not be taxed at the same rate as those earning €44,000. They can afford to pay a higher proportion. - source: party

We do not believe that there is a need to increase the tax rate on those over 100,000 at this time. This may change at a different stage of the economic cycle. We do need to look at the range of tax reliefs that are used by those with assets of over €10m. - source: party

Fianna Fáil’s tax policy supports low- and middle-income earners. The top 10% of earners pay 60% of all income tax. OECD data shows our tax and social welfare system contributes substantially to income redistribution and reductions in income inequality. - source: party

Ireland’s income tax system is already one of the most progressive in the world – those who earn most pay the most in taxes. But we also need to ensure that we are rewarding work and that high marginal tax rates don’t discourage skilled workers or impact on our competitiveness. - source: party

While Fianna Fáil supports helping people through tax reforms and reductions, abolishing USC would narrow the tax base and remove €5 billion revenue, which is essential to fund public services. - source: party

Last year, the USC raised €5.4bn. It is an important source of revenue for the State which is used to pay for the services on which we all depend. However, Fine Gael will continue to cut taxes, including the USC, for workers and employers. - source: party

The USC remains an important part of a broader Irish tax base. - source: party

Aontú seek to significantly reduce the USC over the lifetime of the next Dáil. - source: party

This tax is a legacy of Fianna Fáil crashing the economy. Sinn Féin would abolish USC on the first €45,000 of every workers income. - source: party

We want to replace the USC for those earning under €100,000 with a millionaires tax and a wealth tax,. - source: party

Inheritance tax is an important source of income for the State but it already raises more than the international average. Fine Gael is committed to cutting the inheritance tax rate and increasing tax-free thresholds. - source: party

Tax on inheritance should be reduced in line with inflation. House inflation has significantly increased and Tax on inheritance needs to reflect this. - source: party

The inheritance tax thresholds in place need to be reviewed in light of the increases in property prices in recent years and we will be doing that regularly. Under no circumstance would public services be cut to fund it. - source: party

Sinn Féin would maintain the current threshold of €335,000 for capital acquisitions tax. - source: party

Inheritance tax in Ireland is in line with that in other OECD countries and is an important equality measure. - source: party

Fine Gael provides universal supports, such as the energy credits, because the increases in the cost of living – brought about largely by the Covid-19 Pandemic and the war in Ukraine – impact every household in the country. - source: party

We believe that while the greatest support should be directed to those most in need, the social welfare system should have broad application. - source: party

Child benefit as it currently exists should be universal. There should be a second child benefit which is targeted towards children in low-income families. Electricity Credits are a fraud. Electricity cost in Ireland is the highest in the EU. We need to reduce the cost of electricity asap. - source: party

Fianna Fáil in Government has introduced targeted measures for the less well off, including the Working Family Payment, and have broadened eligibility criteria for payments such as the fuel allowance. - source: party

Universal payments are very important and can complement targeted measures. Sinn Féin propose increasing Child Benefit and €450 worth of electricity credits this year. - source: party

We should keep universal benefits but impose higher taxes on those earning more than €100,000. - source: party

Aontú would delete VAT on housing products. We would delete connection charges and utility charges. We would reduce the cost of credit to construction. - source: party

Sinn Féin's priority is increasing the delivery of affordable homes. But we would also support first time buyers financially by exempting them from stamp duty and retaining a more targeted Help to Buy support while we ramp up affordable housing delivery. - source: party

We should do both. Government schemes for first-time buyers have supported the viability and affordability of new housing developments. We will continue doing this while we ramp up supply to improve affordability. - source: party

This is a false choice. We believe in building more homes, reducing costs and supporting people aiming to buy their first home. - source: party

Helping people to buy or build their first home is a priority for Fine Gael. The Help to Buy Scheme, introduced by Fine Gael, has supported more than 52,000 people and families to buy or build their first home. - source: party

People have a right to apply and gain permission for one-off housing where they grew up and we will protect that right. This is critical in rural Ireland and does not conflict with balanced planning. - source: party

Fine Gael supports vibrant communities across Ireland – urban and rural. In order to have vibrant communities we must enable people to build well-designed, energy efficient homes, subject to sensible conditions, in their local communities. - source: party

Planning reform is an important aspect of solving the housing crisis, both in urban and rural areas. Sinn Féin would increase resources to planning authorities to speed up decisions. - source: party

We should continue to support the development of the centres of our towns and villages, as set out in the Town Centre First policy. We want to focus on supports to ending dereliction in towns and villages. - source: party

There needs to be a short-term freeze on rents while housing supply is increased substantially. Sinn Féin would freeze rents for three years. - source: party

Rents are already too high – mainly because this government has deliberately created loopholes which allow landlords to increase their rental income. - source: party

We effectively already have a rent freeze in real terms, due to the Rent Pressure Zone capping increases to inflation or 2% per year. This balances the need to both protect renters and encourage supply. - source: party

It should be introduced. The ESRI then need to measure scientifically if it does indeed lead to a reduction in rental properties. If it does then it should be reversed. - source: party

A rent freeze would directly reduce the number of homes for rent. The best way to reduce and stabilise rents is to increase supply and accelerate delivery of housing for the private and social rental sectors. - source: party

A rent freeze should only be used in emergency situations – such as during Covid-19. In all other times, rent freezes – not to be confused with rent controls – reduce the number of homes available to rent and do not benefit anyone. We are in favour of rent pressure zones. - source: party

Sinn Féin propose abolishing LPT and replacing the monies lost with Exchequer funding for local councils. - source: party

Councils should be funded adequately from central government. Income tax is more progressive than a Home Tax. - source: party

The government cut back on funding for local authorities and wants us to pay a tax on the family home instead. We are in favour of a wealth tax on muti-millionaires. - source: party

Property taxes form part of balanced tax systems in all advanced economies. Ireland’s far left is the only one in the world which opposes this tax. - source: party

Funding our city and county councils so that they can provide the services which we all need is crucial. The Local Property Tax raises more than €550 million per year. Following a review of the LPT in 2021 by Fine Gael, the majority of householders saw either a decrease or no change. - source: party

This is an essential factor in allowing Local Authorities to provide services to people around the country, and is the closest thing Ireland has to a tax on wealth, albeit at a very low rate. - source: party

Ireland has had decades of focusing on unsustainable roads development without a consequent investment in public & active transport to provide people with real choice. We need to continue to invest in it. - source: party

We want free public transport to get people out of cars, reduce traffic chaos and emissions. - source: party

An effective transport system in Ireland involves both roads and public transport. Fine Gael is committed to expanding our public transport system – trains, luas and buses – as well as improving connectivity through new strategic roads and maintaining existing ones. - source: party

The provision of public transport is vital to the green transition and to developing rural Ireland. We need better connectivity and capacity of public transport. This should be the priority, but maintenance and improvement of roads is extremely important also. - source: party

Both need to happen in tandem. One of the big weaknesses of this government has been the inability to build transport infrastructure. - source: party

There is a pressing need to develop public transport infrastructure, which is vital to curbing emissions and placing us on a sustainable path. However, investment in roads is essential. It is not a case of one over the other. - source: party

Our objective is to ensure that connectivity to/from Ireland continues to grow, including via Cork and Shannon airports, which can take more passengers. We will continue meeting with stakeholders and explore fresh proposals to resolve Dublin airport cap impasse. - source: party

As an island nation, air connectivity is vital for jobs, employment, investment, tourism and transport. - source: party

As an island, air travel is important to our economy and tourism sector. Capacity should be built up in our regional airports, but we should not limit Dublin airport’s potential. - source: party

Aontú are not opposed to the passenger cap being lifted but, Ireland exists outside the M50 and hundreds of thousands of passengers using Dublin are coming from the hinterlands of Cork, Shannon and Knock airports. We need more flights into these international airports. - source: party

This is a live planning issue and a decision for Fingal County Council. - source: party

Monies raised by the Carbon Tax fund vital just transition measures. Budget 2025 allocated a record €469 million from the Carbon Tax for residential and community energy upgrades, including the Warmer Homes Scheme for those at risk of energy poverty. - source: party

The carbon tax mechanism has delivered significant incentive and revenues for the green transition in Ireland, providing a clear signal from government regarding our direction of travel towards a sustainable future. - source: party

Carbon tax helps promote a move away from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable energy. Fine Gael has ensured that money raised by the Carbon Tax is ring-fenced for measures like retrofitting, the fuel allowance, and farmer environment schemes. All these matters should be considered every year. - source: party

Sinn Féin would revoke all further planned increases to carbon taxes because they simply punish ordinary people for whom the alternatives are unavailable and/or unaffordable. Instead we will extend the reduced rate of Excise Duty for petrol and diesel, bringing forward new proposals on energy use. - source: party

Carbon taxes should not be increased when fuel prices are so expensive. The cost of fuel on the consumer must be taken into account. Also many people still have no public transport alternatives. Carbon Tax increases without alternative transport are punitive. - source: party

Carbon taxes do not discourage car usage in the absence of a real alternative. We need free public transport instead and taxes on big polluters. - source: party

It’s not something to ‘give up’. The Nitrates Derogation will come to an end at some stage. We should prepare for that eventuality by increasing resources and schemes to advise, guide, support and enforce the Nitrates Action Programme. - source: party

Fianna Fáil is absolutely committed to working in every way possible to retain the derogation. We are robustly advocating the valid geographical reasons why Ireland’s derogation should be continued and the work underway on farms to ensure water quality improves. - source: party

Fine Gael will work to keep the Nitrates Directive which is important for Ireland’s grass-based farming model. We will work with stakeholders to develop practical solutions that benefit farmers and food businesses and will set up a new Cabinet Committee on Water Quality. - source: party

Sinn Féin in government will protect and improve our water sources and Ireland’s family farmers, including defending the Nitrates Derogation. - source: party

But there must be a just transition especially for small farmers. - source: party

Green Party policy focuses on all aspects to improve the sustainability of Irish farming, such as new practices like silviculture, mixed farming, and organics, as well as reductions in emissions from fertiliser. - source: party

Agriculture emissions are falling steadily (down 2.6% in Q1 2024 on Q1 2023). Our focus is on implementing the other measures, such as ACRES; an agri-environment climate scheme, a results-based scheme which rewards farmers for the good work they do. - source: party

Fine Gael is committed to supporting farmers and agri-businesses to provide safe and nutritious food for home and abroad. Moreover, we’re committed to helping farmers do this in environmentally-friendly ways, recognising that farming is dependent on a stable climate. - source: party

Sinn Féin is committed to working with farmers in Ireland to tackle the challenges of climate change. We will ensure that farmers are assisted with taking action to meet environment and biodiversity targets - source: party

Farm incomes are on the floor. The market is distorted. Factories and supermarkets are making massive profits while pushing down farm prices. This forces farmers to stock higher. A fair share of food profits will make farming more economically and environmentally sustainable. - source: party

The threat to energy security was laid bare when Russia illegally invaded Ukraine, causing supply disruption across Europe. We are not switching back to commercial LNG facilities. Any facility would be temporary, security, State-led and could not breach climate policies. - source: party

Natural gas is a transition fuel to help us on our journey to net zero carbon emissions. To ensure energy security, some infrastructure such as an LNG terminal, may be necessary in the short to medium term. - source: party

Ireland is the only country in Europe without a gas reserve, The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown how dangerous this is. Aontú does not support fracked gas. - source: party

Sinn Féin is opposed to commercial LNG infrastructure resulting in fossil fuel lock-in. The state must ensure energy security. Transitioning to renewable energy must be the priority. - source: party

We will always stand firmly against the development of a commercial LNG facility in Ireland. We will seek to secure our electricity supply not with LNG backup, but with increased renewable energy generation, interconnection, and long-duration storage - source: party

There should be a ban on LNGs and future fossil fuel exploration - source: party

We have consistently advocated against the three day waiting period as unnecessary and unkind. - source: party

We need to get rid of the insulting 3 day waiting period, change the rules around fatal foetal abnormality and decriminalise the provision of abortion. - source: party

Fianna Fáil allows all its representatives to decide their own position on matters such as this which raise many deeply personal and ethical questions. - source: party

This issue is currently under consideration following a review of the legislation which was introduced following the referendum on the 8th amendment. - source: party

The priority should be ensuring access to abortion is available for the range of circumstances currently legally provided for. That is what the public voted for in the 2018 referendum. - source: party

Aontú supports the right to life for everyone. 85% of abortions are for socio economic reasons. Many mothers feel that they do not have a choice to have their children. Aontú seek to ensure that all mothers have the economic confidence to be able to raise their children to their full potential. - source: party

50% of Aontú’s candidates are women. Which is the best record of any party. We achieved this on the basis of merit. We do not agree with quotas. - source: party

Fianna Fáil supports the gender quota for party’s general election candidate selection. - source: party

Fine Gael introduced gender quotas to support a more diverse and inclusive Dail, which better reflects Irish society. - source: party

Sinn Féin would build incrementally on the gender quota in Dáil elections towards 50% and ensuring at least 30% of Ministers and Junior Ministers are female in line with gender quotas. - source: party

We want equal representation in our politics. We are proud to have the highest female representation in this General Election, with female candidates accounting for 53% of the total. - source: party

We welcome targets for women candidate sand will meet them. - source: party

Freedoms of expression and of belief are important but so too is the ability to live without fear of oppression and intolerance on the basis of one’s appearance, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, etc. Government must strive to balance these rights. - source: party

We want to modernise Ireland’s incitement to hatred legislation. - source: party

We are against hate speech but there are problems with the way this legislation was drafted. - source: party

This has been addressed by the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Bill which provides for higher sentences for certain crimes, where hatred is the proven motivation or is demonstrated. - source: party

Sinn Féin oppose censorship. Freedom of speech and the right to protest are fundamental to democracy. Sinn Féin would not introduce hate speech legislation and we opposed the government’s bill which sought to silence public dissent and debate. - source: party

Aontú support freedom of speech. We are the only Dáil party that has opposed all elements of the Government’s censorship laws. The competition of ideas is the engine of a democracy. The best ideas percolate to the top. We abhor hate. We call on everyone to engage with one another respectfully. - source: party

Many NGOs do good work. But Aontú believes that there should be a review of all funding to all NGOs to ascertain the cost benefit for citizens. Many are nearly completely dependent on government funding. This leads to group think. This was seen in the family and care referendums. - source: party

NGOs have a role to play in policy making but they are no substitute for elected representatives and community groups and some NGOs have shown themselves to be out of touch with the public and with the people they purport to represent. - source: party

Fianna Fáil recognises the importance of civil society organisations and their work in communities. Those with a direct democratic mandate must decide policy, but wide consultation is reasonable. - source: party

NGOs and representative groups from civil society play an important role in our democracy, raising issues and problems and suggesting solutions. Transparency and openness are crucial, however, which is why Fine Gael has introduced the Lobbying Register and strengthened laws on ethics. - source: party

Corporations have too much power. - source: party

We want to amend legislation to require schools to ask parents to opt-in to religious instruction, ensuring that families do not feel pressured to opt-out. - source: party

Our primary schools should not be run by nominees of the local bishop - source: party

As republicans we advocate the separation of church and state. Parental choice is critical when it comes to the education of children. The transfer of patronages must be sped up to ensure the option of secular schools is available to more children. - source: party

Under Article 44 of the Constitution, parents have a right to have their children opt out of religious instruction classes. This right applies in all schools, regardless of the denomination or ethos of the school. - source: party

Parents are the primary educators of their children and can enrol their children in a school with an ethos of their choice. Insofar as possible, arrangements should be made to teach religion without excluding any children, e.g. before the start or at the end of the school day. - source: party

Education should be based on science and fact. Ethos is also important to many families. Ethos is the value framework through which factual information should be communicated to children. Politicians should not be allowed to force their ethos on families with a uniform education system. - source: party

Life in Ireland has changed greatly over the years. We must consider the relevance of the curriculum and how it can be supported into the future. Students, teachers and parents were consulted on the proposed curriculum. - source: party

We support the age-appropriate implementation of the new curriculum. These make up a very small part of the curriculum. - source: party

People should not be put off by scare stories from those who never opposed the sexual abuse of children by priests. - source: party

It is vital that our school curriculum reflects Irish society and gives children a broad education, including academic subjects but also health and social subjects. This should be done in consultation with teachers and parents. - source: party

Primary school SPHE curriculum should simply focus on encouraging children to be kind and inclusive of others. - source: party

We should not teach children counter-scientific misinformation, e.g. that men can give birth to babies. People are entitled to believe gender ideology and to present themselves in any manner that they wish. But gender ideology is leading to great harm to the rights of women and children. - source: party

Since November 2022, safe country applicants receive first instance decisions within 3 months. We have doubled the number of staff at the IPO office and trebled the number of decisions issued. Accelerated decisions free up accommodation, reducing need for tents. - source: party

Accommodation for asylum seekers, who have travelled to Ireland in search of assistance, should be of a good standard. It is also important that decisions on asylum applications are made speedily and efficiently. - source: party

We want to ensure that those requesting international protection receive a high standard of accommodation, and of psychosocial and integration supports, with a particular emphasis on supports for the most vulnerable. - source: party

It is a scandal that asylum seekers are forced to live in tents. We should open up unused public buildings for both asylum seekers and the Irish homeless immediately. - source: party

Government must speed up decision making on IP applications. Welcome those that are deemed to be entitled to protection and ensure that those who are not are safely returned to their country of origin because our accommodation system is overwhelmed. - source: party

We need to quickly differentiate between those who need help and those who don’t. Those who don’t need help must be returned to their home country. This process would significantly save the state money and allow the state to treat those who do need help, more humanely. - source: party

This statement is badly worded, but all communities should be treated fairly and equally in this manner. Fianna Fáil will progress use of State-owned land to accommodate applicants and will avoid using community facilities where possible. - source: party

No community has the right to exercise a veto on who lives where. However, we should ensure every community is supported in providing a welcome and in building links between those seeking asylum and those welcoming them. - source: party

We oppose far right attempts to scapegoat asylum seekers. - source: party

Engagement and communication with communities is important. The location of accommodation should be spread across the country with the impact on existing services in an area taken into account when making decisions on locations. - source: party

Accommodation should only be located in areas that have the capacity and resources necessary to support them. - source: party

The planning process needs to be returned to the asylum accommodation. People are entitled to have a say over the development of their communities. That is what the planning system is for. Not consulting with communities has created a vacuum which is a Petrie dish for rumour and hate. - source: party

These centres should only be located in areas that have the capacity and resources necessary to support them. - source: party

The government has placed far more asylum accommodation units in disadvantaged areas or rural areas with few resources. There needs to be a real and immediate dividend provided to communities who accept asylum accommodation. This includes housing, doctors, teachers, transport, and Gardaí. - source: party

Asylum seekers should be accommodated in appropriate accommodation regardless of location. It’s the quality of the accommodation that should determine its use. - source: party

All areas should be treated fairly and equally in this manner. The Government is doing everything it can to accommodate the increase in asylum seekers and must accept any and all offers of accommodation that it receives. - source: party

People in need of international protection should only need to stay in accommodation centres for a short while as decisions are made quickly on applications. Accommodation should be spread throughout the country with additional resources provided to communities. - source: party

To the greatest extent possible, asylum seekers have to be located in areas with the greatest capacity for accommodation and services. Extra supports are provided by central Government, such as the Communities Integration Fund. - source: party