Main message to voters:
Europe is at a dangerous juncture. It faces rising far right extremism and climate crisis, driven by the politics of 'centrism' - which has left many millions of Europeans behind. Only radical, progressive solutions can push back the rise of the far right. The WP provides that.
Election history:
I ran for Dublin City Council and was elected on my first run in 2014, aged 29. Since then, I have been the leading voice for public housing, and against the sell-off of public land, on the city council.
Priorities:
- Other State solutions to the climate crisis. The private sector cannot solve the climate crisis, nor should it be allowed to profit for it. Only we can.
- Other Workers' rights: all workers should have the right to protection by a trade union, to prevent a race to the bottom on wages.
- Other A public economy: instead of an economy driven by private greed, through public companies we can make the economy work for us, to meet our challenges.
Candidate positions on the election issues:
EU
Ireland should remain in the EU
Some people believe that Ireland should leave the EU, particularly in the wake of Brexit, as the UK is our most important trading partner. Others argue that EU membership continues to be beneficial for Ireland, both economically, socially, and in terms of our political influence.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"We are internationalists. We believe Ireland's place is within a broader, international community. However, the EU is tearing itself apart with austerity and right-wing politics, giving rise to extremism across the continent. We want to fight against this politics, and create a fairer Europe. "
European integration has gone too far
Some people argue that the EU interferes too much in the affairs of member states, and powers should be returned to the national level. Others argue that further integration is necessary to tackle shared challenges like climate change and internet privacy rights and for economic stability.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The political direction of Europe is far more important to ordinary people than the degree of integration. Integration to protect workers' rights would be positive. But integration on damaging fiscal rules, which prevent public investment necessary to tackle the housing crisis, is not a good thing."
Ireland should cooperate with other EU member states on defence
Ireland has recently joined the PESCO framework, which seeks to increase defence cooperation in the EU. It commits members to work together on military planning and to increase defence spending. It does not create an EU army, but some oppose it because they see it as a step in that direction.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Workers' Party are totally opposed to the development of an EU army, in particular given the rightward trajectory of the EU. We favour protection of Ireland's neutrality, and the removal of US troops from Shannon."
If an EU member state is overwhelmed with asylum applications, other member states (including Ireland) should share the burden
There is an unequal distribution of asylum seekers across EU member states. In 2015 the EU introduced a one-off relocation scheme, moving asylum-seekers from Greece and Italy to other member states (including Ireland). Some have argued that a permanent relocation scheme should be introduced.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Every state has a duty to provide asylum to those fleeing war. Ireland treats those who do seek asylum here horrifically. More importantly, however, Europe should stop aiding wars which cause people to flee their homes - like bombing Libya - and it should stop preventing poor nations from developing"
Ireland should defend its low corporation tax in the face of pressure for EU harmonisation
Ireland's low corporate tax makes it an attractive location for multinationals, which are a major employer in Ireland. It has also led to accusations of Ireland being a ‘tax haven’. The European Commission has proposed harmonising corporate tax rules to create a level playing field across the EU.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Tax haven Ireland has resulted in a chaotic economy of booms, busts and homelessness. It is not EU pressure, but our own need to build a fair, public economy which should lead to us clamping down on tax evasion. "
Brexit
In the wake of Brexit, a referendum should be held on Irish unity
The Good Friday Agreement allows for a unification referendum (‘border poll’) in Northern Ireland and the Republic, if there is evidence that it is desired by a majority. Some have argued that, in light of Brexit, this should now be put on the agenda. Others believe that it would be divisive.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"The Workers' Party seeks the establishment of a united, socialist Republic on the island of Ireland. However, a divisive referendum at an unstable juncture would make the prospects of this happening less likely, not more likely. "
Ireland should refuse to install checks on the border with Northern Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, Ireland would have different customs and regulatory requirements to Northern Ireland. The EU may require that Ireland establish border checks with Northern Ireland to ensure the integrity of the EU’s single market.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Tax and Spending
Wealthy people should have to pay more tax than they do now
Some believe that there should be greater redistribution of wealth from rich to poor, achieved through taxes on income or wealth. Others believe that taxes are high enough already, and increases could be bad for the economy.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
" Income inequality should be tackled anywhere it exists, including by redistributing income. Most wealth is held in land, property and investments rather than income, and this should also be taxed heavily. "
Increases in public spending should be prioritised over tax cuts
During the recession, new taxes were introduced (e.g. USC) and spending was cut on public services. Some argue that the government should now cut taxes to put money back into people’s pockets. Others argue that the priority should be to increase public spending in areas such as housing and health.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"This should definitely be the case. But this dichotomy creates the false idea that money is in limited supply. The Workers' Party believes we, the people, can create and own innovative, modern companies that actively create wealth for us to invest in our public services."
Environment and transport
Increases to carbon tax should be opposed
Carbon tax is a tax on fossil fuels such as oil, petrol, diesel, and gas. Currently, Ireland has a carbon tax of €20 per tonne of CO2. The Climate Change Advisory Council recommends that this is gradually increased to €80 per tonne in order to reduce emissions and tackle climate change.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Carbon should not be something the rich are allowed to pay to get extra. Under a carbon tax, they can do what they want, while those living in fuel poverty will be pushed further down. We can't just tax damaging behaviour - we need to stop it, by state investment in transport, home insulation etc"
The government should prioritise spending on public transport and cycle lanes over roads
Some argue that we need to reduce our dependence on cars, and invest in sustainable transport instead. Others argue that failing to invest in our road network will damage the economy. The current capital investment plan includes more spending on roads than on public transport and cycleways.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"Ideally, we should be moving towards being car free. We favour allowing all adults without a car, and their dependents, to use all public transport for free. To make this a reality we must keep all public transport in public ownership."
Social issues
More should be done to provide accommodation for Travellers, even if there is local opposition
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, and much of the money allocated for this remains unspent.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
There should be mandatory sentencing for violent crimes
A mandatory sentence is one which must be imposed regardless of the individual circumstances of the case. Currently, murder carries a mandatory life sentence in Ireland, and some drug trafficking and firearm offenses have mandatory sentences. For other crimes, judges have discretion on sentencing.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
The liberalisation of abortion in Ireland has gone too far
The legislation introduced after the 2018 referendum allows for terminations for any reason up to 12 weeks in a pregnancy. Terminations are only permitted after this date (and before the foetus becomes viable) if there is a serious risk to the health of the pregnant woman.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"I founded and led the Dublin Central Together for Yes campaign and am a lifelong pro-choice advocate."
A lot more religious-run schools should become multi-denominational
96% of primary schools in Ireland are religious-run. There is an ongoing ‘divestment’ process, designed to change some schools with a religious patron (such as the Catholic Church) to become multi-denominational schools. Some schools and religious leaders oppose the plan.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion
Comment:
"However, instead of segregating between religious and non-religious schools, all state-funded schools should be fully secular. IT's not right to segregate our children on the basis of religion. "
International
Ireland should boycott Israeli goods produced in the occupied territories
The ‘Occupied Territories’ bill will make it an offence to import goods from an occupied territory. Supporters say this will show solidarity with Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Critics say it discriminates unfairly against Israel, and threatens important economic links with the US.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion