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Rob O'Donnell
Rob O'Donnell
Green


Incumbent : No

Main message to voters:

We need a long-term vision for Tipperary, for young people, farmers, our health and education systems and real climate action. I want to create a Tipperary and rural Ireland with a future and sustainable jobs for youth. We can

Election history:

I am not a politician, and have spent the last 7 years advocating for change with different organisations at the other side of the decision table. I think there is a better way of doing things, for people and the planet, and that's why I am running to represent the people of Tipperary.

Priorities:

  1. Other I want to represent the youth of Tipperary and ensure our problems are being tackled head on; Mental health, drugs, jobs and apprenticeships included.
  2. Other We have a drugs crisis in every town and village in Ireland. Current policy will never fix this, and we need a radical progressive approach that works
  3. Other REAL Climate Action. We need to act NOW on this climate emergency, and ensure everyone is included and protected on the journey.

Candidate positions on the election issues:

Taxes and Spending

The government should prioritise putting money aside for future challenges (e.g. Brexit) rather than putting it back into the economy now

The government now takes in more money than it spends. Some argue that this should be set aside to prepare for shocks like Brexit or a sharp reduction in corporation tax revenue. Others argue that the priority should be putting money into the economy through higher public spending or tax cuts.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"We have so many social issues in Ireland right now which are causing people to suffer, and economically will cost more in the long-run. We need to invest in people now. "

When there is scope for tax cuts or public spending increases, what should be done?

During the recession, new taxes were introduced and public spending was cut. Some argue that when possible, the government should 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.
Significant tax cuts
Some tax cuts and some increases in spending on public services
Significant increase in spending on public services
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"We cannot cut taxes while improving public services, and it is a false economy to cut taxes while allowing our public services to suffer. We need to invest in our health services, public transport, childcare, schools, universities and Gardaí, and all taxpayers will benefit massively from this. "

Should taxes on lower earners (below €35,000) be increased or decreased?

Currently, people earning under €16,500 do not pay income tax. People earning over that pay the standard rate of 20%. There is also the Universal Social Charge: those earning under €13,000 are exempt, while those earning up to €20,000 pay up to 2%, rising to 4.5% for earnings over that amount.
Increased
Stay the same
Decreased
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"The cost of living is rising for earners in this bracket, and I believe money will be better spent in improving and subsidising public services including childcare, transport and healthcare. Small tax cuts mean nothing if the cost of living is increasing doubly. "

Should taxes on middle earners (€35,000-€70,000) be increased or decreased?

The standard rate of income tax is 20%, which applies to all income up €35,300 (for a single person); earnings above that are taxed at 40%. The Universal Social Charge is 4.5% on income between €20,000 and €70,000.
Increased
Stay the same
Decreased
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"The cost of living is rising for earners in this bracket, particularly for families, and I believe money will be better spent in improving and subsidising public services including childcare, transport and healthcare. Small tax cuts mean nothing if the cost of living is increasing doubly. "

Should taxes on high earners (over €70,000) be increased or decreased?

The standard rate of income tax is 20%, which applies to all income up €35,300 (for a single person); earnings above that are taxed at 40%. The Universal Social Charge is 8% on earnings over €70,000.
Increased
Stay the same
Decreased
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Ultra high earners need to pay their fair share. Too much money is rising to the top, and people are sinking to the bottom. This is happening all over the world, and we need a global approach to minimising income inequality. "

Should corporation taxes be increased or decreased?

Ireland’s corporate tax rate is 12.5%, which is low by international standards. Many large companies pay a much lower rate in practice. This makes us attractive for multinationals, which are a major contributor to the economy; it has also led to accusations of Ireland being a tax haven.
Increased
Stay the same
Decreased
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"It is essential that we close loopholes and ensure companies are actually paying their full corporate tax bills. For too long they have enjoyed the privileges of operating in Ireland, and SMEs have been paying more than their fair share of taxes and rates in response. "

Housing and Health

Should the local property tax rates be increased or decreased?

The standard rate of LPT is 0.18% of a property’s market value. This rate can be adjusted up or down by the local authority. The revenue raised is used to fund local services and some of it is redistributed to other local authorities. LPT currently makes up less than 1% of all tax revenue.
Increased
Stay the same
Decreased
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"LPT is a necessary tax to improve our communities, but I do believe that greater relief should be given to areas like Tipperary Town which are suffering massively due to government inaction. "

A rent freeze should be introduced across the country

Currently, rent increases are limited to 4% in ‘rent pressure zones’. Some argue that there should be a blanket rent freeze, so landlords could not increase rents at all for a period. Others argue that a rent freeze would drive landlords out of the sector and reduce the supply of houses for rent.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Yes, and the resources to monitor this. I paid sky high rents while in college in Dublin and had to work extra hours to cover this, without the option to save. We are in a crisis, and a measure like this is a suitable response until we get it under control. "

Much more resources should be directed to building local authority housing, even if that means cutting back in other areas or raising taxes

Some argue that local authority house building should be increased dramatically, as there are almost 70,000 people on waiting lists. Others favour alternative methods of solving the housing crisis, such as encouraging more private development or providing more supports for people to rent or buy.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"It doesn't mean this. We can avail of low interest rates and the cost or not doing so (and pouring money into the black hole that is HAP) will be multiple in years to come if we don't build public housing on public land now. "

The best solution to the housing crisis is to incentivise more building by private developers

To solve the housing crisis, some argue we need to incentivise developers to build more houses (e.g. by reducing taxes on construction or introducing harsher penalties for ‘land hording’). Others argue that the solution should instead focus on building more local authority housing.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"There is a space for private developers, but they can never deliver for those who need housing most. "

There should be free health care for all, even those on higher incomes

Currently, only some people are entitled to a medical card or free GP care. Many people who can afford it choose to take out private health insurance. Some argue that there should be universal health care for most medical treatments, paid with public funds. Others say this would cost too much.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"A single-tier health care system paid by progressive taxation is the only way to fix our health service and ensure it works for everyone. "

Environment

What should the focus be for investment in transport?

Some say we need to reduce our dependence on cars, and invest in sustainable transport instead (e.g. buses, trains, cycling, walking). Others argue that failing to invest in our road network will damage the economy. Currently we spend more on roads than on public transport and cycleways.
Continue to prioritise investment in roads
Spread resources evenly between roads and public transport/cycle lanes
Cut spending on roads and invest significantly in public transport and cycle lanes
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"More people on public transport means less people on roads. That means less traffic, less maintenance costs and faster commutes. "

New petrol and diesel vehicles should be banned in the next ten years

The draft Climate Action Bill aims to ban the sale of new fossil fuel cars from 2030 in an effort to reduce emissions. Critics say that this is unrealistic.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"We need to make sure that people aren't punished when making this decision. Technology will improve and prices decrease, so this is the natural step in car manufacturing. But we need to ensure that people can afford to make the switch when the time comes and that it makes total financial sense. "

Should carbon taxes be increased?

Carbon tax applies to fossil fuels, e.g. oil, petrol, diesel, gas. It recently increased from €20 to €26 per tonne of CO2. The Climate Change Advisory Council recommends a rapid increase (€80 per tonne by 2030). Critics say that carbon tax disproportionately impacts those on low incomes.
Increased significantly (reaching €80 per tonne by 2030)
Increased at a more moderate rate
No increases
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Carbon taxes cannot be regressive, and need to work in incentivising and helping people and businesses to make the change necessary for the future. We cannot punish people who have no other options and we need to ensure that they are included respectfully in the transition in the next decade. "

There should be a tax on greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture

Agriculture is a key sector in the Irish economy. It is also responsible for 33% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. Some have called for a new tax on greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, but opponents say that would be too damaging to the agri-food industry.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"The biggest emitters of greenhouse gases are industry. We need to work with farmers to find a more sustainable agricultural model for generations to come. This cannot be regressive and punish farmers, but we need to make it a no-brainer for farmers to make the switch to the greener way. "

Immigration, moral and social issues

Should immigration into Ireland be made more restrictive or less restrictive?

Non-Irish nationals make up 12.7% of the population, most of whom came from the EU. Work permits are issued to people from other countries only with a well-paid job offer in certain occupations. Some say immigration puts pressure on services; while others say it is needed to tackle job shortages.
More restrictive
Stay the same
Less restrictive
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"We have benefited so much from immigration to Ireland in recent years. Our place in the European Union is secure and with that means freedom of movement. We need to improve our GNIB service for immigrants in the country and look towards a more humane alternative to direct provision. "

More resources should be given to improving conditions for asylum seekers

Asylum seekers are housed in Direct Provision centres. Some argue that conditions are poor and have a negative effect on the physical and mental health of residents. Others disagree and argue that improving conditions would cost too much and could attract more asylum seekers to Ireland.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"The money is being spent, but in the wrong ways. The lack of investment at the start of the asylum process costs so much more in the long-run. The privatisation of direct provision is bad for asylum seekers and taxpayers. We need to invest in people who need our help and get them integrated. "

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/skip
Comment:
"We need to legislate for exclusion zones. This is a women's healthcare issue and we need tot rust women to make the right decision, and not allow demonstrations outside hospitals. "

Small towns and villages should not be forced to accommodate asylum seekers

There are approximately 6,000 asylum seekers living in Ireland. Many are accommodated in or near small towns and villages, where it is easier to find private premises to use as Direct Provision centres. In some cases locals have opposed this on the grounds that their town might be overwhelmed.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"It takes a community to raise a child, and I believe it takes a community to welcome a family. The direct provision system is dysfunctional with people spending far too much time in it, and without the services they or local communities need. "

The Church has too much control over Irish schools and hospitals

The Catholic Church runs a number of private hospitals. Most primary schools & many secondary schools are under the patronage of the Church. Some say the Church provides invaluable services in health and education, while others say that a Catholic ethos is being imposed against people’s wishes.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"When ethos is affecting the quality of education or treatment, then we need to change. The religious orders did some fantastic work in Ireland in the past, but I am in favour of a more secular approach to public services. "

Political and constitutional issues

The reunification of Ireland would create more problems than it would solve

Some people are opposed to the division of Ireland and believe that reunification should happen as soon as possible. Others disagree on the grounds that Unionists in Northern Ireland do not want it, or because they believe it would be too expensive for the Irish government.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"We will face some massive challenges in the reunification of Ireland, and we need to plan for these if we do decide on a referendum. There are many positives too. "

Irish citizens living abroad (including Northern Ireland) should have a vote in Presidential elections

A referendum on this has been proposed. Some argue that political participation should be a core aspect of citizenship, regardless of where you live. Others say that there are too many citizens living abroad, and that they may be out of touch with what is going on in Ireland.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"This is a ceremonial role and I believe it is a fantastic way for Irish people all over the world to have their say on representative. "

A referendum on Irish unity should be held during the lifetime of the next government

The Good Friday Agreement allows for a referendum in Northern Ireland & the Republic on a united Ireland, if there is evidence that unification is desired by a majority. Some say that, in light of Brexit, a border poll should be held soon. Others believe this would be premature and divisive.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"I am open to this, but it cannot be a Brexit style yes/no without a clear vision of what a United Ireland might mean. I would propose a Citizen's Assembly both north and south of the border to ensure the voices of nationalists and unionists are heard and included in a UI."

The voting age should be lowered to 16

18 is the most common minimum voting age internationally, but some countries have reduced it to 16. Proponents argue that young people should have a say as it affects their future, while opponents argue that many 16-year-olds lack the maturity to vote responsibly.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"I have advocated for this since I was 16. Young people are more engaged than ever, can pay tax and need to have a say in their futures. Starting at this age can instill a sense of democratic responsibility and conversation which will lead to better engagement with politics in the future. "

EU and international affairs

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 and for economic stability.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"I encourage all people to take advantage of the opportunities the EU brings including exchanges and trainings. Travel and intercultural exchange broadens the mind, and we have gained so much from this. "

Ireland should cooperate with other EU member states on defence

Ireland has recently joined the PESCO framework, which seeks to increase defence cooperation between EU states. It commits members to work together on military planning & 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/skip
Comment:
"Ireland needs to remain a neutral state. "

Ireland should boycott Israeli goods produced in the occupied territories

A proposed law would make it an offence to import or sell goods originating in an occupied territory. Proponents say this will show solidarity with Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Critics say it discriminates unfairly against Israel, and could undermine important links with the US.
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
No opinion/skip
Comment:
"Israel has broken international law and treaties by occupying this land. This is not okay and we must stand with Palestinians in solidarity. "