Back to Results
Paschal Donohoe

Paschal Donohoe

Fine Gael

These answers were provided by the party

Taxes and spending
1 of 32 questions
Money that is currently being saved for future policy challenges (such as climate change and an ageing population) should be spent now on things like housing and healthcare.
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "We are helping people today, spending large amounts on housing and health. But we also need to prepare for the future. A growing and ageing population, along with global uncertainty, means Ireland needs to put some money away now to pay for future costs and risks. "

- Fine Gael
Taxes and spending
2 of 32 questions
Taxes on people earning over €100,000 a year should be increased.
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Taxes and spending
3 of 32 questions
The Universal Social Charge (USC) is a necessary source of revenue and should be kept.
  • Agree Match with candidate
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "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."

- Fine Gael
Taxes and spending
4 of 32 questions
Tax on inheritance should be reduced, even if it means cutting back on public spending or increasing other taxes.
  • Agree Candidate position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Your position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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."

- Fine Gael
Taxes and spending
5 of 32 questions
Universal payments, such as child benefit and energy credits, should be replaced with more targeted measures aimed at the less well-off.
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree Match with candidate
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Housing
6 of 32 questions
The government should focus on making houses more affordable rather than providing financial supports to first-time buyers.
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Housing
7 of 32 questions
Planning guidelines should be relaxed to allow for more one-off rural housing
  • Agree Candidate position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Your position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Housing
8 of 32 questions
A rent freeze should be introduced across the country, even if it risks landlords leaving the market
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Housing
9 of 32 questions
The Local Property Tax should be scrapped, even if it means less money available for local councils
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree Your position
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Transport
10 of 32 questions
The provision of public transport (trains, light rail, buses) should be prioritised over building roads
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree Candidate position
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Transport
11 of 32 questions
The passenger cap at Dublin airport should be lifted
  • Agree Candidate position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Your position
  • No opinion
Comment: "As an island nation, air connectivity is vital for jobs, employment, investment, tourism and transport. "

- Fine Gael
Environment, energy, agriculture
12 of 32 questions
Carbon taxes should continue to increase each year
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree Candidate position
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "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."

- Fine Gael
Environment, energy, agriculture
13 of 32 questions
Ireland should give up its exemption under the EU Nitrates directive
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Environment, energy, agriculture
14 of 32 questions
The government should introduce measures to significantly reduce the extent of livestock farming in Ireland
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Environment, energy, agriculture
15 of 32 questions
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals should be allowed in Ireland, to improve security of supply
  • Agree Candidate position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Your position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Social issues and education
16 of 32 questions
Abortion should be allowed in a wider range of circumstances.
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree Candidate position
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "This issue is currently under consideration following a review of the legislation which was introduced following the referendum on the 8th amendment."

- Fine Gael
Social issues and education
17 of 32 questions
Policies to increase the representation of women in politics have gone too far
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Match with candidate
  • No opinion
Comment: "Fine Gael introduced gender quotas to support a more diverse and inclusive Dail, which better reflects Irish society. "

- Fine Gael
Social issues and education
18 of 32 questions
New laws on hate speech should be introduced to protect vulnerable communities
  • Agree Match with candidate
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "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."

- Fine Gael
Social issues and education
19 of 32 questions
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have too much power in Irish policy making
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Match with candidate
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Social issues and education
20 of 32 questions
Religious instruction should only take place outside school hours in Irish primary schools
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Social issues and education
21 of 32 questions
Gender diversity and transgender issues should be taught in Irish primary schools
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree Candidate position
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Immigration and asylum
22 of 32 questions
More resources should be given to improving conditions for asylum seekers
  • Agree Match with candidate
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Immigration and asylum
23 of 32 questions
Communities should be obliged to take their fair share of asylum seekers, even if there is local opposition
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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."

- Fine Gael
Immigration and asylum
24 of 32 questions
Accommodation centres for asylum seekers should not be located in economically disadvantaged areas
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree Your position
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fine Gael
Immigration and asylum
25 of 32 questions
Rules on immigrant work permits and student visas should become more restrictive
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Match with candidate
  • No opinion
Comment: "Fine Gael is committed to a migration system that is fair but firm and for clear and legal routes for migration, like work permits and visas. Migration is good for Ireland, especially for sectors like healthcare, IT, among others. "

- Fine Gael
Crime and policing
26 of 32 questions
The solution to anti-social behaviour lies in tackling poverty and disadvantage rather than tougher policing
  • Agree Match with candidate
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Fine Gael is committed to stronger, safer communities. This involves a mix of supporting and resourcing our gardaí as well as investment in communities, including Community Safety Partnerships, Youth Diversion programmes, among others. "

- Fine Gael
Crime and policing
27 of 32 questions
Gardaí should take a more robust approach to dealing with political protests
  • Agree Candidate position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Your position
  • No opinion
Comment: "The Garda Commissioner is responsible for day-to-day policing operations. While peaceful assembly and protest is an important part of our democracy, it is crucial that situations are monitored and managed in the interests of public safety. "

- Fine Gael
Foreign policy and defence
28 of 32 questions
Ireland should continue to provide financial and political support to Ukraine in response to the ongoing war
  • Agree Match with candidate
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Fine Gael will ensure that Ireland stands by Ukraine for as long it takes. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has brought war and suffering to our continent and while Ireland is militarily neutral, we support the strongest sanctions at an EU level against Russia."

- Fine Gael
Foreign policy and defence
29 of 32 questions
The EU should suspend its trade agreement with Israel
  • Agree Match with candidate
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "In light of the senseless deaths and destruction in Gaza and Lebanon, Fine Gael has called for a review of the EU Trade Association Agreement which includes respect for human rights among its terms and conditions. "

- Fine Gael
Foreign policy and defence
30 of 32 questions
Ireland should retain its ‘triple lock’ rule for deploying troops abroad
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "The decision of where and when to deploy Irish troops is one for the democratically-elected Government of Ireland and the Dáil. The current ‘triple lock’ gives Russia, China and others a say over Irish troops and this should be removed. "

- Fine Gael
Foreign policy and defence
31 of 32 questions
Ireland should collaborate more with other EU member states on defence and security
  • Agree Candidate position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Your position
  • No opinion
Comment: "Given the war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, the cyberattack on the HSE, and other issues, Fine Gael is committed to strengthening our security and defence capabilities, which involves working more closely with our EU partners. "

- Fine Gael
Irish unity
32 of 32 questions
A referendum on Irish unity should be held in the next five years
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree Candidate position
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "As the United Ireland party, Fine Gael is committed to Irish unity. Fine Gael has always sought to build connections with both communities in Northern Ireland. Securing peace on our island was the first momentous step. The Shared Island Initiative is now building on this. "

- Fine Gael

By using our site, you agree to our use of one strictly necessary cookie. Learn more