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Mary Fitzpatrick

Mary Fitzpatrick

Fianna Fáil

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: "These funds ensure future generations are not left to deal with the challenges facing us. They allow us to plan, while providing for those who need assistance, and invest in public infrastructure/services. They underpin ability to deliver housing and healthcare."

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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."

- Fianna Fáil
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
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Match with candidate
  • No opinion
Comment: "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."

- Fianna Fáil
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 Your position
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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."

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

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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."

- Fianna Fáil
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 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. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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."

- Fianna Fáil
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
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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. "

- Fianna Fáil
Environment, energy, agriculture
12 of 32 questions
Carbon taxes should continue to increase each year
  • Agree Match with candidate
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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. "

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

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

- Fianna Fáil
Social issues and education
18 of 32 questions
New laws on hate speech should be introduced to protect vulnerable communities
  • Agree Your position
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree Candidate position
  • No opinion
Comment: "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."

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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."

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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. "

- Fianna Fáil
Social issues and education
21 of 32 questions
Gender diversity and transgender issues should be taught in Irish primary schools
  • Agree Match with candidate
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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."

- Fianna Fáil
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 Match with candidate
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "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. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "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. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "With their talent and skills, migrants heal the sick in our hospitals, look after our elderly in our nursing homes and fill labour shortages in our essential industries. Immigrants enrich our nation, making us socially and economically wealthier."

- Fianna Fáil
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: "We support both a systematic tackling of poverty and tougher policing. Individuals are responsible for their actions and a stronger response is required to tackle behaviour which disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities."

- Fianna Fáil
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: "People have the right to protest but not threaten other people’s safety. Attacking public building, vehicles and Gardaí is not legitimate protest in a free and democratic society. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "Russia’s war has appalling consequences Ukraine, as well as wider security implications for Europe. 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."

- Fianna Fáil
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: "We have consistently called for review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs the trade relationship. The Agreement allows trade suspension due to serious/persistent violation of human rights. If this is not possible, there is scope for national action. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "We do not support Putin’s regime, China, or indeed the other permanent members of the UN Security Council, having a veto over the deployment of the Irish defence forces to peace keeping missions."

- Fianna Fáil
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: "Defence and security collaboration is not confined to military activities. The European Defence Fund supports research and has funded projects in Maynooth and NUI Galway on cybersecurity training and medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks. "

- Fianna Fáil
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: "To have any prospect of winning a referendum, priority must be building understanding and tackling division. Peace, reconciliation, unity by consent are core Fianna Fáil values. We introduced the Shared Island initiative, building a reconciled future, working with all communities."

- Fianna Fáil

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