Main message to voters:
This election will help shape how we live together in our city & in Europe. I want a social, sustainable, inclusive EU & offer a track record as committed advocate for equality, environment & social justice and a proven ability to change laws, shape debate & work with others to drive positive reform
Election history:
Independent Senator since 2016, first woman elected on NUI panel in 35 years. Leader of the Seanad Civil Engagement Group Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly 2016-2017 Elected to European Women's Lobby 2015-2016 Elected to European Parliamentary Forum on Sexual & Reproductive Rights 2017-now
Priorities:
- Other Climate Justice, Biodiversity, Sustainability. Move EU investment out of fossil fuels & into public transport. Protect pollinators & green spaces.
- Other Employment & Equality: support & strengthen EU Directives on ‘Work Life Balance’ and ‘Predictable Hours’. Gender & Equality proof EU strategy & budget
- Other Sustainable Development Goals at heart of EU Strategy & Budget, investment in peacebuilding not militarisation. A Europe where hope stronger than fear
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:
"The EU has raised standards, opened opportunities and brought diverse people together to live in peace. Shared concerns like climate change or decent work are often best addressed through collective, difficult debates. For me, being Pro-EU means caring enough to make Ireland heard in those debates."
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:
"There are areas for closer cooperation and areas where we must keep sovereignty. Rather than more centralised power, I would like to see an integration that seeks to widen rather than narrow engagement. A Europe where civil society groups and citizens are more active in shaping collective decisions."
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:
"I chair Oireachtas group on Peace, Neutrality & Disarmament, opposed our opt-in to PESCO and believe Ireland's best international contribution to EU or UN is as voice for peace. Instead of a 13 billion Defence Fund, Europe should invest in peacebuilding which, as we know from Good Friday, takes work"
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:
"I don't think language like 'overwhelmed' or 'burden' is appropriate. Europe takes in few of those displaced by conflict worldwide and asylum seekers are a tiny fraction of overall migration. Ireland should do more to offer shelter and safe passage and I support family reunification for refugees. "
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:
"Ireland should retain right to set its own tax rates but reform & transparency's crucial. We need country by country reporting & minimum effective tax rate so corporations cannot pay little or nothing. OECD BEPS is good but not enough. I support EU-wide Financial Transaction Tax & aviation fuel levy"
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:
"I am not against a future referendum on this but I think that holding it "in the wake of Brexit" is not the right approach. Any referendum should emerge from Good Friday Agreement, based on wide consent and stable political cooperation. Human Rights aspects of GFA should be one Post-Brexit priority."
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
Comment:
"Ireland is right to stand firm on the Backstop - a measure we all hope is not needed but one which provides an essential safety net. Even in a no-deal scenario, all co-guarantors to the Good Friday Agreement will still have a duty to work together to protect rights and try to prevent a hard border. "
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:
"Wealth inequality is growing worldwide and research over decades has shown that trickle down economics doesn't work. Those on very high incomes can and should contribute more to the society they share. I also believe we should review tax reliefs & limit those which primarily benefit the very wealthy"
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:
"We need to invest in each other and in what we share. Public services, public transport, public spaces, education, creative communities, childcare & secure housing - all allow families to plan & enjoy their lives and that is worth far more than tax cuts (where higher earners often benefit more). "
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:
"I've campaigned on climate justice since 2008 and I have seen the cost of carbon in its impact on the poorest people in the world. However, in Ireland the poorest should not pay the most. Just Transition subsidies & supports must be frontloaded and levies put on high-polluting sectors and companies."
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:
"I was one of only 4 members of Climate Committee to vote for a 2:1 ratio in favour of public transport. I have supported allocation of 10% transport funding to cycling infrastructure in Committee and Seanad. EU Ten-T transport funding should be redirected to sustainable, accessible public transport."
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
Comment:
"The failure to spend funds allocated for Traveller accommodation is an indictment of many local authorities & leads to very serious consequences for health, education, employment & safety of families. I'm a member of Oireachtas Group on Travellers & cosponsored Bill on Traveller History in Education"
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
Comment:
"I think there is a role for sentencing guidelines and, in areas like sexual violence and domestic abuse, there is, I believe, a compelling need for more training of judges, lawyers & police. However, there is also a separation of powers which must be respected in terms of legal system and politics. "
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 first marched for Repeal in the 90's as a teenager. It took us far too long to break the silence and get to a point where Ireland respects and supports women. As a member of European Parliamentary Forum on Sexual & Reproductive Rights, I now work with others to support women across Europe & world!"
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:
"I supported removal of Baptism barrier and believe current dominance of religious patronage in our schools does not reflect diversity of our society or equal rights of all children. It should not be such a struggle for Educate Together Schools or Nondenominational Gaelscoils to get space or security"
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
Comment:
"I'm proud to co-sponsor the Occupied Territories Bill, initiated by Senator Frances Black, which seeks to uphold international law by ensuring Ireland does not import goods from any illegally occupied territory. The Bill is not about boycott - although that is a legitimate & effective protest tool. "