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Seamus  Healy
Seamus Healy
Independent


Incumbent :

Main message to voters:

Standing up for a Tipperary and an Ireland with dignity and fairness for all.

Election history:

Elected Clonmel Borough Co. 1985, Elected @ By-Election 2000, after 4 unsuccessful GEs, Retained seat @ 2002GE, Lost by 59 votes @ GE2007, 2009 Local Elections, elected South Tipperary Co. Co., Returned to Dáil @ GE2011 with 21.3% of 1st preferences, Elected by new Tipperary Constituency @ GE2016

Priorities:

  1. Other Declare a National Emergency with regard to the Housing and Homelessness Crisis to enable government to take immediate action to alleviate the problem
  2. Other The prioritisation of proper funding and general resourcing (staff, buildings, training etc) for our Health Services, for physical AND mental health.
  3. Other Investment in jobs & associated infrastructure (ie public transport) for rural & urban areas in Tipperary; fair distribution of employment in Ireland

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:
"Services such as Health and Housing must be prioritised for quality of life of Irish people. If the super-wealthy were taxed at all in this country the government could use that revenue to also have a rainy day fund. "

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:
"Taxes are how our shared services are financed so while cutting taxes might seem popular it is very short-sighted."

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:
"With rent prices soaring, the insecure nature of many jobs and the costs associated with accessing services such as education low and middle income earners are the worst hit."

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:
"All should pay a fair rate of tax in line with their pay. It is hard to advocate for middle income earners paying more tax when there are 2025 billionaires in Ireland who pay no tax here at all! General taxation is how our shared services such as hospitals, schools and roads are paid for. "

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:
"All should pay a fair rate of tax in line with their pay.The super-rich in Ireland are now worth 10% more than they were in the boom, €60 million each. Collectively they have €244 billion in financial assets. If we taxed them at a mere 1% it would earn €2.4 billion. Tax the super-wealthy!"

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:
"Many super-rich Multi-National Corporations pay no tax at all in Ireland! A minimum effective rate of 4% is what we need from every MNC."

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:
"It should be abolished"

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:
"Until such time as there are enough social and affordable houses to buy and rent there should most certainly be a rent freeze. This is something I legislated for with my Bill in the Dáil in 2017 but it was voted down by FF, FG and their Independent supporters."

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:
"Apart perhaps from the crisis in our Health service there is no greater crisis in Ireland at the moment. We need action and investment in local authority housing which has been neglected for so long."

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:
"Housing is a human right. Relying on private developers to solve the housing crisis will do nothing for society except make the rich richer. In fact the last two governments have tried to rely on private developers exclusively and we can see that failed spectacularly. "

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:
"Healthcare is a service which like all others should be paid for by means of fair taxation. However, it is also a special service which greatly effects a persons welfare, for that reason it should be free to all."

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:
"Ideally most public funding should go into public transport but due to the rural nature of Ireland and the poor condition of many third class and regional roads any further neglect of them would lead to further rural isolation which cannot be tolerated. Therefore we need a balance in the funding."

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 action on Climate Change. The sale of diesel and petrol cars should be phased out. Ordinary people must be supported to make changes in their own behaviour and government needs to prioritise systemic changes also. Public Transport should be free and freely available all over the country."

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 should not be increased. We need viable alternatives to carbon emissions i.e. private transport by car in Ireland. People cannot be penalised for travelling to work by car when there is no other alternative outside the cities.We need systemic change as well as behavioural change."

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:
"This would be akin to an extra carbon tax on farmers which I am against. Sustainable agricultural systems must be developed- extra tax is not the only answer. "

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:
"It is already quite restrictive. As the Irish population ages we will become more reliant on migrant workers to work in our economy. It is vitally important to integrate these people fully into Irish society"

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:
"Direct provision is inhumane. The claim of asylum should be dealt with swiftly. Those seeking asylum in our country due to fear of persecution or death elsewhere should be afforded a decent standard of accommodation. "

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:
"I campaigned for the repeal of the 8th amendment in 2018 and in fact opposed it as far back as 1983."

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:
"A good partnership between a community and asylum seekers must start with public consultation. Asylum seekers should be in cities, towns and villages which can serve their unique needs to the best standard possible."

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:
"Notwithstanding the many positive influences the Church has had in education and health over the years, I fundamentally believe that all services should be secular and that there should be a complete separation of church and state in every country."

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:
"Self-determination is always favourable to a foreign regime inflicted on people. Also with Brexit, Britain has clearly shown its utter disregard for "Northern Ireland" and the Republic. Ireland would best serve the needs of her people if all 32 counties were united together."

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:
"We have lost many Irish people to emigration but they are still Irish and they should have a say in the election of our nations figure-head. I would hope they can return to an Ireland they had helped to shape."

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:
"With Brexit's potentially disastrous impact on the economy of the island, an All-Ireland unity vote would be best sooner rather than later. "

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:
"In particular I agree with this so that young people's voices can be heard and they can advocate for themselves."

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:
"Living under the regime of the Troika during the recession, I don't think that there is anyone who would disagree that our national sovereignty is massively impacted by our EU membership. The EU is trying to morph into a full political and military union, we must avoid this at all costs."

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 has had a proud history of neutrality, something that this government has ridden rough shod over with our participation in military activities such as Operation Sophia. Cooperation on matters of defence would be fine if it meant just that but we are being sucked into an imperialist EU army."

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:
"This is an unequivocal yes from me. The occupation of these territories is illegal as confirmed by the United Nations. Boycott. Divest. Sanctions."