Main message to voters:
Please vote for me for positive change for you, your county and your country. We stand at cross roads in our nations history,I want to travel a new path which leads to a better,fairer, healthier and safer Ireland and I want you to take it with me.Let 2016 be our rising, join that rising vote for me
Election history:
I stood in the 2014 local election while campaigning against the local property tax among other issues.I stand for the Right2Water campaign as I dont want our water supply privatised. I stand on my commitment to communities across county Kildare.Also founder member of Kildare town community council
Priorities:
- Other I commit to returning a sizeable portion of any TD's slary to you through community groups or sports clubs and commit to working with all such groups.
- Other I will work for a fairer,safer Ireland with a good quality of life for all by insuring that taxes are spent on public services and not squandered.
- Other I commit to working with any one,in the Dail or outside it to enhance and improve the lives of people here in Kildare & raise the profile of Kildare
Candidate positions on the election issues:
Budget and taxes
What should the priority be in the next budget?
With a growing economy, government revenue is increasing. This can be put back into the economy in the form of tax cuts or increased spending on public services, or it can be used to reduce the national debt.
Prioritise increased spending on public services
Prioritise tax cuts
Prioritise reducing the national debt
None of the above
Comment:
"While all parties have said what they will spend on I say we should be also looking to see where we can save money. Massive amounts of taxpayers money is squandred on the political system with over 400 quangos all costing millions. Politicians pay should also be slashed."
1 of 22 questions
Should high earners pay more tax than they currently do?
There are two income tax rates: the standard rate of 20% applies to all income up to a certain amount (€33,800 for a single person); and the higher rate of 40%, applies to all income earned over that amount. The Universal Social Charge is also payable at different rates depending on income.
Yes, to reduce economic inequality high earners should pay more tax
No, high earners pay enough at present
No, to reward work high earners should pay less tax than they do now
None of the above
Comment:
"High earners is not a fixed section of people to my mind. I say tax the multinationals who are not paying what the should be paying,taxthe wealthy and those who use loopholes to avoid paying tax here while carrying Irish passports. "
2 of 22 questions
Water
How should water be funded?
Currently, water charges are capped at €160 per year for households with one adult and €260 for households with more than one adult. Households with low water usage may get a rebate.
Water should be free at the point of use and funded through general taxation
The current policy (with capped charges per household) should be maintained
Households that use more water (above a set allowance) should pay more
None of the above
Comment:
"As a society we have to provide certain things for the good of all like roads, schools, hospitals and security. Water is no different. "
3 of 22 questions
Should water charges be boycotted?
Some political parties and groups have advocated a boycott of the water charges
Yes, water charges are wrong and should be boycotted
No, water charges are wrong, but we should obey the law and pay
No, water charges are necessary
None of the above
Comment:
"As citzens we have the right to say when we think some thing is wrong. We have the right to voice those concerns and use all means available to us when those concerns are not addressed."
4 of 22 questions
Abortion
When should abortion be permitted?
Abortion is currently only permitted when the life of the mother is at risk (including risk of suicide). Legal abortions are rare; for example, there were 26 cases during 2014.
Only when the mother’s life is at risk from illness
Only when the mother’s life is at risk from illness or suicide (the current position)
When the mother’s life is at risk and in certain other cases such as rape and fatal foetal abnormality
Abortion should be freely available up to a certain number of weeks in a pregnancy
None of the above
Comment:
"There will be a debate on abortion soon and this election should not be about it now.We must hold those responsible for homelessness,hospital chaos and all other things to account.We owe it to people not here now to vote them out of power, dont let them off the hook on this one issue."
5 of 22 questions
Should there be a referendum on the 8th Amendment of the Constitution?
The 8th Amendment introduced a constitutional ban on abortion by acknowledging the right to life of the unborn (with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother).
Yes, the 8th Amendment should be repealed
There should be a referendum, but I would vote to defend the 8th Amendment
No, there should not be a referendum on the 8th Amendment
None of the above
Comment:
"I believe in democracy and as they people are demading their say on this matter I would agree to that debate taking place.I believe this election should not be about abortion but on the current state of the country and hold those responsible to account. We can debate abortion when the time comes "
6 of 22 questions
Wages and employment
Should the minimum wage be increased?
The minimum wage has recently been raised to €9.15 per hour.
Yes, the minimum wage should be increased further
No, it is high enough; further increases could mean fewer jobs
No, the minimum wage is too high and should be decreased
None of the above
Comment:
"Work should be rewarded and allow people to have a disposable income. Zero hours contracts should be outlawed and job security given to people. At the moment we are in a race to the bottom and that is not good for any one in the long run."
7 of 22 questions
Should all employees be guaranteed a certain number of hours work per week?
In some sectors, such as retail, the number of hours work offered to employees varies greatly from week to week.
Yes, employees who want it should be given a guaranteed number of hours
Employers should try to provide guaranteed hours to staff, but the state should not intervene
No, employers sometimes need flexibility in order to stay in business
None of the above
Comment:
"See my comments above."
8 of 22 questions
Housing
Should there be tighter controls on rent?
Currently, landlords can only increase rent every two years, and rent increases must be justifiable in terms of the market rate.
Yes, to improve rent certainty increases should be capped in line with inflation
No, current controls on rent are adequate
No, rent controls are to be opposed as they reduce the supply of housing
None of the above
Comment:
"We are in extraordinary times with people in very vulnerable positions in relation to income and housing. If we can make laws about the use of plastic bags and where to smoke I think we can certainly make laws to insure certainty in the housing market."
9 of 22 questions
What is your view on the Local Property Tax?
The Local Property Tax is charged on all residential properties. The revenue raised is used to fund services by local authorities.
The Local Property Tax is fair and provides much needed revenue for local authorities
Property taxes are a good idea, but the current system needs to be reformed
Property taxes are unfair and should be abolished
None of the above
Comment:
"General taxation is the most progressive form of taxation. Property taxes were intorduced after government cut funding to local councils. Home ownership is some thing to aspire to and within reach of all people. Old people and those on changed incomes are left vulnerable to this form of tax. "
10 of 22 questions
What is your view on Traveller accommodation?
The Department of the Environment provides funding to local authorities for Traveller accommodation (e.g. halting sites and group housing schemes), but many local authorities have been reluctant to build these sites due to local opposition.
More should be done to provide accommodation for Travellers, even if there is local opposition
More Traveller accommodation is needed, but it should not be built against the wishes of the local community
The state should not build accommodation specifically for Travellers
None of the above
Comment:
"Good relations between all sections of society are whats needed, to pitch one section against another would not be wise or good for either side. There is always alternative good quality sites to choose from. Communication and compromise is always best."
11 of 22 questions
Health and childcare
Should there be free health care for all, paid for through higher taxes?
Currently, only some people are entitled to free health care or free GP care. Many people who can afford it choose to take out private health insurance.
Yes, health care should be free for all, even if it means higher taxes
GP care should be free, but universal health care would cost too much
No, those who can afford to pay should not have free health care
None of the above
Comment:
"As a society we provide roads,schools etc through general taxation, hospitals and health care is another of them. Sickness knows no income boundaries and neither should the cure and care in a decent, just society."
12 of 22 questions
Should the state do more to cover the cost of childcare?
The cost of childcare in Ireland is high by international standards. From September 2016, children over the age of three will be entitled to free pre-school for three hours a day. Beyond that it is up to parents to pay.
Yes, even if it means less resources available for other measures
No, current subsidies for childcare are adequate
No, the cost of childcare should be borne by parents
None of the above
Comment:
"Nowadays it takes 2 incomes to run a household for most.Work should pay to cover all costs and have disposable income left over. The state should help with childcare costs and it should also pay the creches to mind these children. Quality of life and cost of living should matter most to all of us "
13 of 22 questions
Religion in schools
Should religion be taught in state-funded primary schools?
Typically, primary schools spend 30 minutes a day on religious education, which in most cases involves instruction in a particular faith.
Yes, schools should instruct pupils in line with their religions ethos
Pupils should learn about various religions, not one particular faith
No, religion should only be taught outside of school
None of the above
Comment:
"It's a personal matter for most people and there is an opt out clause for parents and in certain areas a choice of schools. The problem is about lack of choice in most areas.Parents are demading more choice and this growing and within 5 years or so I dont see this as big an issue as it is now."
14 of 22 questions
Should schools be allowed to give preference to children based on religion?
Approximately 96% of primary schools in Ireland are under religious patronage. In areas where schools are oversubscribed, some schools give preference to children based on their religion.
Yes, schools should be able to serve their own religious community first
Yes, but only if there are suitable alternatives (e.g. non-denominational schools) in the area
No, religion should have no place in school admissions policies for state-funded schools
None of the above
Comment:
"Question is whether you think a school is an institution of the church or of the state? If the state funds the school and sets the academic policy then it is a state institution and cannot be biased towards religion.This aspect of school is changing but maybe not at the pace liked by some. "
15 of 22 questions
Immigration, the EU
Should we accept more refugees in Ireland than we currently do?
In response to the migrant crisis, the current government has agreed to accept more refugees. However, Ireland still takes a relatively small number of refugees compared to some EU countries (such as Germany and Sweden).
Yes, we should accept a greater number of refugees
No, we accept enough already
No, we should accept fewer refugees than we currently do
None of the above
Comment:
"We are a giving nation our greatest gift to these people is to help right the wrongs they are fleeing.The government was silent on all these wars.Most people want to live in peace in their home country and we should be working for this.We are a tiny population with massive problems of our own. "
16 of 22 questions
Has European integration gone too far?
Some argue that greater integration is necessary to tackle EU-wide issues such as the financial crisis and the migrant crisis, while others believe that the EU interferes too much in the affairs of member states.
Yes, more power should be returned to member states
The current level of integration is acceptable
No, European integration should be pushed further
None of the above
Comment:
"I dont want to see our children fighting an unjust war at the behest of war mongering nations like the UK & France who dominate EU forgein policy with NATO. We have lost our sovereignty and our neutrality to bureaucrats, this will have profound implications in the near future.Good neighbours yes"
17 of 22 questions
Environment
Should more wind farms be built in Ireland?
Currently, Ireland has 199 wind farms, which produce around 18% of the country’s electricity. Ireland has signed up to a target of generating 40% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
Yes, we need more wind farms
No, there are enough wind farms already
No, there are too many wind farms
None of the above
Comment:
"Wind power is not the answer to all of the energy issues it is but one component.Building massive wind farms to export power for the benefit of big bussiness is not the answer. Rural areas and communities are not there for the sole exploitation of big business."
18 of 22 questions
Should we sign up to the EU’s targets on reducing emissions?
The European Commission wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. Some groups are opposed to this because they believe it would have a negative impact on certain sectors, such as agriculture.
Yes, we should do what it takes to reduce our emissions in line with EU targets
We should seek to reduce emissions, but these targets are too ambitious for Ireland
No, we do not need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
None of the above
Comment:
"As a small nation the onus is on the larg wealthier countries to lead the way, we can mimic what is best practice and avoid the expense of doing what dosent work.We can be inventive and do what is known to work and once this is proven take the next phase or step.We cant punish the poor at all costs"
19 of 22 questions
Political reform
Is the party whip system too rigid?
Political parties nominate someone as the ‘party whip’ whose job it is to ensure that TDs vote according to the party line, or else face the prospect of being removed from the party.
Yes, TDs should take instruction from their constituents or follow their conscience on all matters
TDs should be given a free vote on ethical issues, but on other matters the whip is needed
No, government parties need to be united in order to implement their policies
None of the above
Comment:
"With the whip system gone it would be government by agreement which would be better for all of us. Party politics is dying and with it adversarial politics. The new type of politics is for the people not for parties."
20 of 22 questions
Should citizens be able to initiate referendums?
Currently only the government can call a referendum. In some countries, citizens can initiate a referendum to introduce or overturn legislation or amend the constitution, once a certain number of signatures are collected.
Yes, allowing citizens to initiate referendums would empower the people
Yes, but only for referendums to overturn legislation (not to amend the constitution or introduce new legislation)
No, citizen-initiated referendums would be costly and potentially chaotic
None of the above
Comment:
"A healthy democracy is good for everyone and noting is to be feared by allowing people a greater say."
21 of 22 questions
Crime
Are criminal sentences too lenient in Ireland?
There are currently around 3,700 people in prison in Ireland. The number of prisoners has increased in recent years, but the rate of incarceration remains relatively low by international standards.
Yes, criminals should be more severely punished
No, the current sentencing regime is about right
No, there should be a greater focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment
None of the above
Comment:
"In certain areas sentences are not adequate like sex crimes which is a scandal.Tougher sentences should be given to serious career criminals.In other areas social issues should be addressed to stop crime becoming a way of life.People with a job and decent public services is unlikely to commit crime "
22 of 22 questions