Main message to voters:
Derail the gravy train. Cap politicians and civil servants' wages to reflect performance. Protect rural Ireland. Confront corruption head-on. Punish white-collar crime. Put people and genuine democracy first. Protect the family home. Reform the health & justice systems and return to honest basics!
Election history:
A first-time candidate who is running as the founder of the Integrity Ireland project which advocates 'justice, transparency and accountability' in the institutions of the State. A married father of 3 children - one with special needs - Stephen understands the need for urgent political reform.
Priorities:
- TD's incomes linked to the average working wage (at perhaps 150%?) to ensure SOME measure of 'appropriate remuneration' and to eliminate endemic greed
- Keep people in their homes. Rein in the banking sector. Protect rural Ireland. Restore Article 48. Eliminate patronage in political appointments.
- Without a properly functioning justice system and truly effective 'statutory oversight bodies' we have little or no chance of real, lasting reform.
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:
"Our lack of available finances for public services is a direct result of some appalling management decisions by bankers, regulators, TD's and so-called 'experts' affiliated with the Government. We are carrying 40% of Europe's debt burden - but comprise less than 2% of the population!? Ridiculous!"
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:
"The system is unfairly skewed to 'protect' the lifestyles of the super wealthy. This would be okay if 2 things happened: (i) That the super-wealthy were GENUINELY helping the economy, and (ii) that their privileged lifestyles did NOT come at the direct expense and detriment of the poorer 95%."
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:
"The Irish Water debacle is a lesson in extravagant, wasteful (and deceitful) mismanagement of public resources. Those involved should be sacked and jailed so that future governments get the message. There is enough water in Ireland to provide freely for most - provided it is managed properly."
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 above; there is so much deception and misuse of public funds in order to facilitate private business, that Irish Water needs to go - immediately! If one of the wettest countries in the world cannot provide 'free' water to its citizens... especially when it has been paid for several times over??"
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:
"I truly struggle with a definitive position on this question. There are so many conflicting moral positions that I feel I must abstain until I can form a more definitive opinion."
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:
"A referendum may be the only way to get a consensus - and at least a LEGAL position - if not a universally-accepted moral one."
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:
"Obviously, the minimum wage needs to be linked to the cost of living, and should incorporate a percentage which allows the worker SOME savings for luxuries or leisure activities. The minimum wage should NOT be determined by ruthless capitalists who lack appreciation for the struggles of the worker."
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:
"Business must dictate its own needs - and these are determined by fiscal parameters. Those on part-time contracts can take a second job if they wish - or refuse part-time contracts.."
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:
"This is a common-sense decision in a country where so many simply cannot afford 'appropriate' accommodation due to poorly thought-out government policies and chronic, corporate greed. The Constitution guarantees us certain inalienable rights. Surely an affordable, living home is one of them? "
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:
"..but it shouldn't be a double - or triple - 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:
"If Travellers wish to live 'mainstream' then they need to adjust to the communities in which they choose to live. However, if the Traveller community is being recognized as a unique culture, then the Government should do more to protect that culture by providing 'suitable' facilities.. "
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:
"Poor or disadvantaged people should have free health care appropriate to their needs. Wealthier people should pay according to their incomes."
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:
"Not too sure about this one, but it seems to me that if two parents are working, they should be able to afford childcare - which in turn provides work for their carers or babysitters..?"
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:
"In most genuinely 'developed' countries, the religious indoctrination of children is now recognized as a form of psychological child abuse. Have we not learned enough lessons about leaving 'the Church' in charge of our children?"
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:
"Parents should have no rights to demand 'denominational education'.. and no doubt our teachers would also benefit from a more secular and scientific-based approach to religious education. However, religious communities should be allowed to fund their own denominational schools as PRIVATE businesses."
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 have the space. We have the funds, and those who have had the courage and determination to flee oppressive regimes will undoubtedly add something to our communities - not to mention enhancing the gene pool.. ;-)"
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:
"But we have to be careful of the usual excesses of powerful people with poorly developed ideas that are often grander than their limited plans.."
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:
"Yes - but only in the right places - and only if they (wind farms) remain the best ecological option as an alternative to fossil fuels etc.. Other options should continue to be actively explored."
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:
"We need to be doing everything we can to reduce the damage we are doing to the environment, and to leave a better world for our children."
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:
"A no-brainer! Frankly, it is far too dangerous to have ONE person wield complete control over the Government for an utterly undemocratic 5 years when everything that the 'dear leader' decides - goes! It is a recipe for abuse, amorality, and betrayal of the population at large. Reintroduce referenda!"
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:
"This would NOT be chaotic - because TD's would not even TRY to introduce legislation which they knew could be overturned on referendum. Giving referendum back to the people is a continuation of the democratic principle and is essential in an Ireland which is riddled with corruption and crontism."
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:
"Actually, the whole justice system, including the legal profession, the Gardai and the Courts needs urgent and radical reform - beginning with removing criminals and compromised cronies from State agencies.. After that, we can begin to talk about how to PROPERLY deal with 'regular' criminals.."
22 of 22 questions