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Frank Conway

Frank Conway

Independent

I want to deliver a programme that puts the people of Ireland first and to contribute in a way that protects our country, our heritage, and our culture. Part of this would be to propose a sensible, yet strict, immigration policy to include remigration and to help and encourage Irish to return home.

  • Priority: Immigration and asylum

    Sensible immigration policy with effective border controls. Impose high taxes on those involved in converting change-of-use to IPAS.

  • Priority: Housing

    Minimise government interference in the housing market. No vulture funds and corporations mass purchasing houses.

  • Priority: Environment, energy, agriculture

    Retention of the nitrates derogation. Fair taxes for farmers- both income tax and VAT. No to off-shore wind farms and solar-farms.

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: "The surplus and high tax revenue suggests that the government is in a position to do both, yet they waste upwards of €6 billion per year on NGOs that lobby government on non-essential policies. Housing and healthcare are paramount in both the short-term and long-term, as is an ageing population."

- Frank Conway
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: "Those on higher tax bands are paying their fair share of income tax. Any further increases will have a negative impact on tax revenue as previously demonstrated in France and theorised by the Laffer Curve. The cost of living crisis is impacting everyone and further taxes will leave people worse off."

- Frank Conway
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 is not a necessary source of revenue, despite bringing in approx. €4 billion per year. This is a legacy of the financial crisis and was introduced as a temporary measure to assist with the bailout. The narrative has since changed to one of 'replacing the income and health levy". "

- Frank Conway
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: "I favour the abolishment of the Inheritance tax, which generated €557 million in 2023 (€258 million in 2013). Those who are inheriting lands or properties are doing so in a speculative and over-priced market. Ownership of these assets should remain within the family and should not be forced to sell."

- Frank Conway
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: "Every child should be seen as equal regarding child benefits, but those who are less well-off should see targeted measures that alleviate the burden they experience. Ireland has the most expensive energy costs in the EU, and the govt. would rather offer credits than fix infrastructure and logistics."

- Frank Conway
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 median house price is €346,000 while the average industrial wage is €44,202 (CSO). Houses are not affordable both in nominal and real terms. Assistance for first-time buyers is a short-term, yet necessary policy, but the housing and immigration policies of this govt. has crowded-out investment."

- Frank Conway
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 imperative that one-off rural housing be supported, particularly to maintain farmsteads, local communities, and An Gaeltacht. Consideration should be given to relax planning laws to support the rural communities and those wishing to remain. It would also alleviate pressures in urban areas."

- Frank Conway
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: "Interference in the housing market creates inefficiencies & black markets. Despite the benefits to the renter, this short-term measure would have negative consequences later on for both parties. Housing rental stock will diminish. Adequate policy measures (i.e. immigration) should be adopted."

- Frank Conway
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: "Despite being an essential tax for local councils, the LPT would have a disproportionate effect on districts due to the income generated. Transparency is essential to see how and where these taxes are spent. Central government should be funding infrastructure and services from our current tax base. "

- Frank Conway
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: "Inept transport policies have created bottlenecks in cities and towns. Cycle lanes have replaced bus lanes, which have in turn replaced the two-lane traffic system in some areas. The sudden increase in population is creating further strain on the road and transport network, as it has done on housing"

- Frank Conway
Transport
11 of 32 questions
The passenger cap at Dublin airport should be lifted
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Green policy is failing this economy. Capping passenger numbers to virtue-signal on the green agenda will be detrimental for the tourism and leisure sectors. These sectors have suffered, with reported sales falling by as much as 88% in the past 12 months. Business travel is also essential."

- Frank Conway
Environment, energy, agriculture
12 of 32 questions
Carbon taxes should continue to increase each year
  • Agree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Disagree
  • No opinion
Comment: "Carbon taxes are a false economy, and have proven to be detrimental to the economy. The belief that taxing carbon can prevent an 'existential' threat is another false statement, when in fact trying to reduce carbon is in itself an existential threat. Watch out farmers and don't buy this narrative!!"

- Frank Conway
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: "The retention of the Nitrates Derogation is essential for farmers, esp for intensive farming. We should fight to maintain this exemption and find solutions to improve water quality that is all-encompassing and not to be left solely to famers who are already over-loaded with regulation. "

- Frank Conway
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: "At current stocking levels, the farm is sustainably net-zero given the life-cycle of a carbon atom. Reducing the herd, exporting slurry, or reducing nitrate levels per hectare will have negative consequences for grass-fed farming. We should fight against the Mercosur Trade Deal and support Irish."

- Frank Conway
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: "This is another non-sensible policy, requiring large tracts of land at ports to be redeveloped and its beauty spoiled. Over-reliance on the US for LNG should not be considered. The logistics and capital infrastructure involved to transport LNG is costly. We should consider nuclear alternatives."

- Frank Conway
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: "I would favour the provision of a compassionate social environment for expectant mothers to choose life over abortion. I would favour TD Carol Nolan's private members' bill to administer pain relief to the unborn child in the womb in the context of surgical abortion. No to full-term abortion."

- Frank Conway
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: "I believe in having the best minds and those willing to work hardest in the best interest of Ireland and its people. If that results in all 174 member of the 34th Dáil being women, or men, or a mix of both, then I'm content. We should not introduce policies to enforce representation but to encourage"

- Frank Conway
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: "The 'Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989' already covers speech that incites hatred based on race, colour, nationality, etc. Recently proposed laws are draconian as characteristics would be considered in the case of any crime committed. The crime itself would not take precedence."

- Frank Conway
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: "In 2023, €6 billion per annum was paid to 33,000 NGOs in Ireland. Some do great work, ie Irish Cancer Society. But many are liberal and, with govt funding, can create a lot of noise in both political & social environments. Lobbying is the govt's way to deflect from their decisions-making protocols."

- Frank Conway
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: "The school system was established with the help of the Church. Ireland is predominantly Catholic, and the Primary School system should continue with the Catholic ethos. Preparing our youth for 3 sacraments in school is important, and those who do not practice this faith should be accommodated."

- Frank Conway
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: "I believe this further alienates children who feel such issues, and confuses other children. Let children keep their innocence. Resources should be put in place to reach out to children who have gender dysphoria and to do so in a caring way. CAMHS are over-stretched and under-funded as it is. "

- Frank Conway
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: "In 2024, €2.64m per day is spent to accommodate asylum seekers. That will be €1billion by the end of year. O'Gorman's Dept received a further €4.9b in Budget 2025, with €4.72b going to IP applicants, and Inclusive Society (up from €300m). This compares to only €232m going to Mother and Baby Scheme."

- Frank Conway
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: "According to the most political parties, communities do not have a veto on who arrives in to their communities. Yet those communities that are socially and economically disadvantaged take most, if not all, asylum seekers. Resources are not there and some areas are now minority Irish. This must end."

- Frank Conway
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: "This should not be a case of whether an area is disadvantaged or not. Prior to opting in to the EU Pact on Asylum and Migration in July, Ireland did not have any obligation to take in asylum seekers (Lisbon Treaty & Dublin III Regulations). Resources are limited, minority Irish is a possibility."

- Frank Conway
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 Critical Skills Occupation List combined with lax visa and Irish citizenship rules, is creating a surge in migration to Ireland. Ireland cannot cope. Ireland is now 64% Irish. The UN's paper 'Replacement Migration' (2000) pg 85 - 87 plans for up to 12.7 million migrants per year in Europe."

- Frank Conway
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: "Community policing should return to Irish towns & villages. This, along with educational and social supports for all living in the community to offer them a real chance to succeed. Aiming to eradicate the drug endemic and other vices would be a start. A militarised Gardaí would sow further problems."

- Frank Conway
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: "According to Article 40.6.1 of the Irish Constitution, we all have the right to assemble or meet peacefully. Any initiation or intimidation by Gardaí should be prevented, to include baton charges and the use of pepper spray/water canons. Political protests are expressions and not coups."

- Frank Conway
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 a neutral country & is not a member of NATO. The Irish government should not take sides on a military campaign in the form of such supports. Condemning actions is acceptable. Supporting peace is paramount. Taking sides is a political mistake and may not be representative of the population"

- Frank Conway
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: "We should not suspend any trade deal with another country unless that country directly interferes or threatens our nation. Continued condemnation of Israel's actions is acceptable but suspending trade relations is in itself an act of economic warfare of which will be harmful to the EU economy."

- Frank Conway
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: "Despite claims that ending Ireland's 'triple lock' would not end our neutrality, my concerns is that it will. Ireland's Defence Forces go on overseas peace-keeping missions but it will be highly likely that we will become part of an international military alliance, with compulsory conscription."

- Frank Conway
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: "The EU was established as a monetary union. We lost monetary policy independence and the punt. Overtime, we have become indebted to the EU to the tune of €220 billion. Today, 70% of our laws come from the EU. We have become a political. I certainly do not want to be part of a military union."

- Frank Conway
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 are not ready for this. The remain tensions within communities in the North and, despite my preferred outcome to be a United Ireland, we in the South are certainly not prepared or ready. Social cohesion is fractured and we need a conservative/nationalist government to lead this. No left liberals."

- Frank Conway

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