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Michael O'Doherty

Michael O'Doherty

Independent

Elect an Engineer

  • Priority: Housing

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: "Money is only one of the constraints in both Housing and Healthcare. There are other constraints that restrict how much money we can spend eg lack of manpower in each case. Since we have the Apple money to spend we keep the rainy day funds intact for now."

- Michael O'Doherty
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 already have a very progressive income tax system. There is no need for tax increases on anybody at present. Should an economic downturn occur then of course we should protect the most vulnerable and those who earn the most should carry the greater tax burden. "

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "USC was introduced as a temporary measure and should be phased out as circumstances allow."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: " Inheritance tax allowances are generous at present and most people will not inherit anything near the present limits. It would be ok to increase the allowance in line with inflation if circumstances allow but certainly not if it means cutting public spending. "

- Michael O'Doherty
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 think basic Child Benefit should be paid universally for all children. However to alleviate child poverty I would support an additional targeted Child Benefit directed to the most vulnerable as has been called for by many NGOs. Energy credits are once off payments and can be phased out as soon a"

- Michael O'Doherty
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 Government should focus on Supply and Affordability. Providing supports is one way at present of making homes affordable. "

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "It is more sustainable for everyone to live in villages and towns ok but I think we need more flexibility in the planning rules to allow for local people eg farming families to obtain planning permission which would save on travel to and from the farm each day. "

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "In the latest daft.ie report Professor Lyons of TCD pointed out a correlation between the number of apartments built in Dublin and rent increases. In years when the numbers built are high, rents do not increase eg in 2023 over 9,000 were built. If we build more we'll get a natural rent freeze."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Local Property tax is imperfect and should probably be replaced by a Site value tax. In the meantime, Councils need the tax to pay for local services. If you scrap a tax you have to say exactly where that money will come from."

- Michael O'Doherty
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 should complete our outstanding motorway projects eg Limerick to Cork etc ok but from this point on we need a big push on public transport. Bordeaux in France is a city slightly larger than Cork and it has six light rail lines. We need additional Light rail in our cities."

- Michael O'Doherty
Transport
11 of 32 questions
The passenger cap at Dublin airport should be lifted
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "We are an island nation and rely on our air links for business and pleasure. A recent court decision has provided some relief but a planning decision on the cap size is awaited."

- Michael O'Doherty
Environment, energy, agriculture
12 of 32 questions
Carbon taxes should continue to increase each year
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Many who live in rural Ireland have no option but to use their cars for work, school, shopping etc and so are penalised. In addition we have a cost of living crisis at present . I would freeze carbon taxes at the present level."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Irish farmers need more time to prepare for the application of the EU Nitrates directive. I would try to hold on to the exemption for now. "

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Ireland produces some of best grass fed beef in the world but there is a problem. The cattle burp up methane which is a potent greenhouse gas, although unlike carbon dioxide it dissipates quickly in the atmosphere. Solutions are coming- it is likely that no government intervention will be necessary."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Ireland’s electricity network at present is hugely reliant on fossil gas and will be for many years. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people are reliant on gas for heating and cooking. Every European Country has 100 days gas stored in order to bridge over supply disruption. We need the same."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "When abortion was introduced, the Taoiseach of the day stated that he wanted it safe, legal and rare but last year the abortion numbers were over 10,000 which could not be described as rare. There is no case for widening the range of legal circumstances for abortions"

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Judging by the number of female candidates contesting the 2024 General Election the policies to increase the representation of women in politics have worked. We will shortly reach a point where no mandatory rules are necessary and a significant number of female TDs will become the norm."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "We first need to establish a consensus on what exactly would count as hate speech before going further. One person’s robust disagreement could be misinterpreted as another’s hate. Above all it’s important to ensure that free speech is protected."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Power is vested in the Dail and Seanad. It is ok for NGOs to lobby on behalf of their area of operation – the homeless etc but some Government funded NGOs seem to exist only to lobby – they should be defunded."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Parents expect that Instruction in accordance with the Ethos of the school will take place within school hours. Pupils who don’t share the ethos are exempted and suitable arrangements must be made for them. In Christian schools sacramental preparation should be moved from the school to the Parish. "

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Nothing of this nature should be taught to young children without the approval of their parents which is unlikely to be forthcoming if recent media reports are representative. It is very important that any child in the school with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria is treated with great kindness."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Faster assessment of asylum seekers will spread the same resources among fewer numbers and nothing additional will be required."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "If we speed up the assessment process, far less accommodation will be needed and International applicants can be placed in areas where resources are plentiful and where there is much less likelihood of local opposition."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: ". Forcing already disadvantaged communities with few facilities and resources to accommodate International Protection applicants is deeply unfair."

- Michael O'Doherty
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
Comment: "The economy is at full employment and work permits are necessary at present. Should there be an economic downturn then restrictions can be introduced."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "The solution is tackling poverty and disadvantage combined with Community policing."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "People have a right to peaceful protest. It is a cornerstone of our democracy."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Ireland is obliged to supply Temporary Protection to Ukrainian refugees under an EU Directive until March 2026. Hopefully a peace deal acceptable to Ukraine will have been agreed by then. "

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Very encouraged by the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon this week. If a similar ceasefire can be agreed in Gaza soon and peace talks begin, then there will be no need for further EU action. Suggest keeping the trade agreement action on ice for now. "

- Michael O'Doherty
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
Comment: "We should retain the “triple lock” for now. "

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "Ireland is a neutral country and should stay so. However there are emerging areas like cybersecurity where co-operation with other EU member states will be essential. Participating in a European army is a definite no."

- Michael O'Doherty
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: "A referendum on Irish unity should be held whenever polls show that it would be likely to succeed. Prematurely holding such a referendum and the losing it would be a disaster."

- Michael O'Doherty

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