Find your match All Dublin Bay North Candidates
Cllr John Lyons

Cllr John Lyons

Independent

I want to play my part in fighting for and creating a fairer, more caring and inclusive society, a society in which the resources of the nation are put to use in meeting the needs of everyone living here, those of us born and bred and more recent arrivals to our shores too.

  • Priority: Housing

    I will aim to introduce a five year home building programme that delivers public & actually affordable homes on public lands. Ban no fault evictions.

  • Priority: Environment, energy, agriculture

    We need to implement the recommendations of the Climate Change Advisory Council on a cross-sectoral basis & end the mistreatment of animals.

  • Priority: Social issues and education

    We need to address the income, health and educational inequalities that have such detrimental impacts upon so many people living in our communities.

These answers were provided by the candidate

Taxes and spending
1 of 32 questions
Money that is currently being saved for future policy challenges (such as climate change and an ageing population) should be spent now on things like housing and healthcare.
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "By addressing the crises in housing and healthcare, as well as ensuring a more sustainable planning system is in place, we will be better positioned to take a more coherent and comprehensive approach to climate breakdown and prepare our society for future challenges."

- Cllr John Lyons

Taxes and spending
2 of 32 questions
Taxes on people earning over €100,000 a year should be increased.
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We need to address the stark income inequalities that exist in Ireland and redistribution through our taxation system of income and wealth must be a priority for everyone interested in creating a fairer, more inclusive and cohesive society."

- Cllr John Lyons

Taxes and spending
3 of 32 questions
The Universal Social Charge (USC) is a necessary source of revenue and should be kept.
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "The USC was introduced as a temporary measure during the financial crisis and as such, needs to be abolished and replaced with a tax on wealth."

- Cllr John Lyons

Taxes and spending
4 of 32 questions
Tax on inheritance should be reduced, even if it means cutting back on public spending or increasing other taxes.
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "There should be no reductions on inheritance tax in a republic that strives toward equality and inclusiveness. "

- Cllr John Lyons

Taxes and spending
5 of 32 questions
Universal payments, such as child benefit and energy credits, should be replaced with more targeted measures aimed at the less well-off.
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "I believe in the universality of such payments but there should be additional resources targeted at the most vulnerable, so proportionate universality is crucial. "

- Cllr John Lyons

Housing
6 of 32 questions
The government should focus on making houses more affordable rather than providing financial supports to first-time buyers.
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "The lack of truly affordable homes to rent or purchase is the biggest challenge we face and we must use all state lands to deliver the public and actually affordable homes so many thousands of people, couples and families need and deserve."

- Cllr John Lyons

Housing
7 of 32 questions
Planning guidelines should be relaxed to allow for more one-off rural housing
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We need sensible and sustainable planning in Ireland, not more of the failed planning of the past."

- Cllr John Lyons

Housing
8 of 32 questions
A rent freeze should be introduced across the country, even if it risks landlords leaving the market
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "The rents are just too high so a rent freeze and a ban on no fault evictions are urgently required."

- Cllr John Lyons

Housing
9 of 32 questions
The Local Property Tax should be scrapped, even if it means less money available for local councils
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "The LPT has been a disaster. It raised the expectations of a new revenue stream and thus new and enhanced local services but national government has cynically used the LPT to disguise huge reduction in central government funding. The LPT should be scrapped & government funding restored."

- Cllr John Lyons

Transport
10 of 32 questions
The provision of public transport (trains, light rail, buses) should be prioritised over building roads
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We must prioritise public transport over building roads but for the modal shift from the private car to public transport to be successful we need to deliver affordable homes through a planning system that is focussed on producing sustainable communities where people can live, work and play."

- Cllr John Lyons

Transport
11 of 32 questions
The passenger cap at Dublin airport should be lifted
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "It needs to be lifted as it is completely out of date and a new arrangement needs to be put in place after a society-wide discussion on our spatial planning objectives and climate action targets is conducted."

- Cllr John Lyons

Environment, energy, agriculture
12 of 32 questions
Carbon taxes should continue to increase each year
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "The carbon taxes are regressive and do not work. A socially just transition has to create a sense of fairness and inclusivity as we need to act collectively to address the challenges of climate breakdown. Hitting hard pressed people in their pockets is not the way to bring the change we need."

- Cllr John Lyons

Environment, energy, agriculture
13 of 32 questions
Ireland should give up its exemption under the EU Nitrates directive
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We need to improve our water quality, which is damaged by nitrates from agricultural sources, industries, and poor sewage treatment. We are well past the time for such exemptions. We need to get our act together and take on the polluters in agriculture and industry."

- Cllr John Lyons

Environment, energy, agriculture
14 of 32 questions
The government should introduce measures to significantly reduce the extent of livestock farming in Ireland
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We need to reappraise our relationship with animals. I want to see an end to the mistreatment of animals and believe that Ireland's food system needs to transition to one that is ethical, sustainable and plant-based."

- Cllr John Lyons

Environment, energy, agriculture
15 of 32 questions
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals should be allowed in Ireland, to improve security of supply
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "If we are serious about protecting our planet for future generations, then we must ensure that no LNG terminals are allowed."

- Cllr John Lyons

Social issues and education
16 of 32 questions
Abortion should be allowed in a wider range of circumstances.
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "It is a woman's right to choose what she does with her body. Abortion services are key part of healthcare and should be readily accessible for anyone who needs them."

- Cllr John Lyons

Social issues and education
17 of 32 questions
Policies to increase the representation of women in politics have gone too far
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Society and the political system are shaped to suit the interests of men so we need a massive transformation in both if we want to create a fairer, more caring and inclusive society."

- Cllr John Lyons

Social issues and education
18 of 32 questions
New laws on hate speech should be introduced to protect vulnerable communities
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Everyone has to the right to feel and be safe so laws to protect people from hate are essential, as is the need for education and awareness campaigns in schools, colleges and workplaces."

- Cllr John Lyons

Social issues and education
19 of 32 questions
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have too much power in Irish policy making
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "The wealthy and business lobby have too much power in Ireland. Those of us who seek to create a fairer, more inclusive and caring society have been blocked by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael from having any influence over policy. It's always big business and the rich that they listen to."

- Cllr John Lyons

Social issues and education
20 of 32 questions
Religious instruction should only take place outside school hours in Irish primary schools
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Schools need to be secular places of learning. Any religious instruction should not take place within in the teaching hours in primary schools."

- Cllr John Lyons

Social issues and education
21 of 32 questions
Gender diversity and transgender issues should be taught in Irish primary schools
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We need to ensure that children become aware, in age-appropriate ways, of the wonderful diversity of the human experience."

- Cllr John Lyons

Immigration and asylum
22 of 32 questions
More resources should be given to improving conditions for asylum seekers
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We have the resources to ensure that everyone in Ireland, those of us born and bred, and those seeking international protection, and others seeking better lives for themselves and their families, have warm, safe places to call home. We just need the political will."

- Cllr John Lyons

Immigration and asylum
23 of 32 questions
Communities should be obliged to take their fair share of asylum seekers, even if there is local opposition
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We address local concerns and existing community deficits whilst playing our part in ensuring that people seeking safety in Ireland have a warm, safe place to stay in."

- Cllr John Lyons

Immigration and asylum
24 of 32 questions
Accommodation centres for asylum seekers should not be located in economically disadvantaged areas
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "I think we should see the opportunities to address the income, health and social inequalities that exist in certain communities as we play our part in ensuring that people seeking safety have a warm, safe place to live in."

- Cllr John Lyons

Immigration and asylum
25 of 32 questions
Rules on immigrant work permits and student visas should become more restrictive
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Crime and policing
26 of 32 questions
The solution to anti-social behaviour lies in tackling poverty and disadvantage rather than tougher policing
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Addressing the stark income, wealth, educational and health inequalities that exist in Ireland will produce a happier, healthier, more inclusive, caring and just society."

- Cllr John Lyons

Crime and policing
27 of 32 questions
Gardaí should take a more robust approach to dealing with political protests
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Everyone has the right to protest but nobody has the right to target hate and violence at people. Peaceful civil disobedience and protest are essential in a democracy, violence and hate have no place."

- Cllr John Lyons

Foreign policy and defence
28 of 32 questions
Ireland should continue to provide financial and political support to Ukraine in response to the ongoing war
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We should support any country that is under attack by a imperialist power. Our own history tells us that international solidarity is essential if people are to achieve liberty, independence and sovereignty. "

- Cllr John Lyons

Foreign policy and defence
29 of 32 questions
The EU should suspend its trade agreement with Israel
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Sanctions and trade suspensions with the Israeli state are essential. Anyone state actor responsible for genocide, ethnic cleansing, occupation and apartheid must be punished and isolated internationally."

- Cllr John Lyons

Foreign policy and defence
30 of 32 questions
Ireland should retain its ‘triple lock’ rule for deploying troops abroad
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Foreign policy and defence
31 of 32 questions
Ireland should collaborate more with other EU member states on defence and security
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: " We need to create our own policies on defence and security and not be dictated to by bigger EU powers."

- Cllr John Lyons

Irish unity
32 of 32 questions
A referendum on Irish unity should be held in the next five years
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We need to have a discussion about creating an all-island arrangement in which everyone's needs are met, from housing, health and education to poverty, inequality and the urgent need to take action on climate breakdown."

- Cllr John Lyons

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