Main message to voters:
After five years out there, one thing I am sure of is that ordinary Dubliners need a voice in the European Parliament who stands up for them. If you re-elect me I promise that: I will fight for you, I will fight for Dublin, I will fight for Ireland
Election history:
Sinn Féin candidate in 2007 general election for Kerry South Sinn Féin candidate in 2009 local election for the Killarney electoral area of Kerry County Council Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin since 2014
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:
"Sinn Féin's position towards the EU is that we must critically engage in every single piece of legislation that we deal with. We are not nodding dogs, we are watchdogs. We represent the Irish people in Europe, and we cannot do that if we leave the EU. "
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:
"Sinn Féin argues that certain powers, such as taxation, should return to being a member state competence. We believe that decisions should be taken as closer as possible to the citizens. In other areas such as climate action and food safety it does make sense to cooperate at the European level. "
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:
"Ireland has a proud policy of military neutrality, and Sinn Féin fully supports this status to continue. We have continuously tried to introduce bills enshrining our neutrality into the Irish Constitution and reject Ireland signing up to PESCO. We should cooperate on UN peacebuilding missions only."
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:
"We should commit to granting asylum to those who request it. Ireland has taken less than half of the asylum seekers it has committed to accept, which is unacceptable. In Sinn Féin, we believe that the current system of Direct Provision fails to adequately look after those who seek protection. "
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:
"Sinn Féin is determined to ensure that tax sovereignty remains in the hands of Member States. We strongly support full corporate tax transparency and believe in public country-by-country reporting on turnover, profits and tax. "
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:
"Absolutely. As an Irish republican political party dedicated to the reunification of Ireland, Sinn Féin called for a Unity poll as soon as the UK Parliament triggered Article 50. Although this is a conversation that we have led, we are clear that all parties and citizens should engage in it. "
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:
"Sinn Féin is against the imposition of any form of a border on the island of Ireland again. If this were to happen, we would immediately call for a border poll. "
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:
"Sinn Féin is in favour of introducing a wealth tax in Ireland, as stated in our General Election Manifesto in 2016. We need a tax system that raises sufficient revenue for government to invest in public services and job creation, but does so in a manner that is fair and progressive."
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:
"To prioritise tax cuts over spending is to send a signal that the current crisis in public services will remain, meaning more families left without a roof over their heads. Sinn Féin is about investment, delivery of quality public services and increase public spending on critical infrastructure."
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 tax is unaccountable and highly manipulated by the biggest polluters, leaving households to pick up the tab. We must take hard action to rapidly achieve 100% renewable energy. Sinn Féin stands for a state-led transition with public investment rather than austerity measures like carbon tax."
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:
"Sinn Féin's local election manifesto includes a Local Authority Climate Obligation Bill to ensure councils encourage public transport and support the delivery of public bike schemes. We also believe that each council should establish an ambitious target of kilometres of cycle-lanes for delivery. "
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:
"Radical measures must be proposed to tackle the traveller accommodation underspend across Ireland. It's clear that prejudice operating at community, political and management level has been a key factor in slowing individual projects. Sinn Féin is committed at tackling this systemic inequality."
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:
"Weak sentences further injure victims of crime. The public must be confident that the severity of a sentence matches the crime. We negotiated with Govt. in amending the Judicial Council Bill, introducing Sentencing Guidelines. This is a significant step towards fairer justice system for victims."
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:
"Sinn Féin elected reps actively campaigned for a Yes vote, and supported the current law that followed the successful removal of the 8th amendment from our constitution. We continue to actively campaign to extend these rights to our sisters in the North under the slogan of the North is Next."
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:
"Sinn Féin believes in secular education and in multi-denominational schools. However, we respect the decision of parents choosing their children's schools. Central to any discussion of integrated education in Ireland, is the curriculum, which should celebrate the diversity that enriches us all. "
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:
"Sinn Féin has supported Ireland's bill banning Israeli settlement goods. We are active defenders of Palestinian human rights. We oppose any financial preference, military or technological support to Israel whilst they occupy, colonise & oppress the Palestinian people. #BoycottEurovision2019. "