Social › Abortion
What is your stance on abortion?
Housing › Affordable Housing
Should the government incentivize the construction of affordable housing?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, housing is a basic right that should be affordable to anyone |
Social › Gay Marriage
Do you support the legalisation of same sex marriage?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › European Union
Should Ireland withdraw from the European Union?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, but renegotiate for strict limits on migration into the country and the terms of our monetary contributions |
Healthcare › Mental Health
Should the government increase funding for mental health research and treatment?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only increase funding for personalised care instead of subsidising pharmaceutical companies |
Social › LGBT Adoption Rights
Should gay couples have the same adoption rights as straight couples?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, as long as they pass the same background checks as straight couples |
Housing › Rent Control
Should the government implement rent control policies to limit the amount landlords can charge for rent?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, housing is a basic right that should be affordable to anyone |
Transportation › Public Transportation
Should the government increase spending on public transportation?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only if the spending goes towards environmentally friendly solutions |
Housing › First-time Homebuyer Subsidies
Should the government provide subsidies for first-time homebuyers?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Education › Irish Language Curriculum
Should the Irish language remain a compulsory subject on the national curriculum?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but focus more on the ability to speak and understand the language instead of analysing poems, stories, and phrases |
Foreign Policy › Military Neutrality
Should Ireland end its traditional policy of military neutrality?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Foreign Policy › Gaza ceasefire
Do you support the government calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Domestic Policy › Government Surveillance
Should the government be able to monitor phone calls and emails?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, and enact legislation preventing government surveillance of citizen communications |
Housing › Homeless Shelters
Should the government increase funding for homeless shelters and services?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Economy › Budget Surplus Spending
Should a budget surplus fund tax cuts, cost-of-living support, and public services?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Housing › Foreign Real Estate Investment
Should the government restrict the purchase of residential properties by foreign investors?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › Mandatory Military Service
Should every 18 year old citizen be required to provide at least one year of military service?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, service should be a choice instead of an obligation |
the Economy › Social Housing
Should funding for social housing be increased?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › Israel Trade Suspension
Should the government suspend trade with Israel due to the Israel-Hamas conflict?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Social › Gender Transition
Should people under the age of 18 years old be able to receive gender-transition treatments?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, children should not be allowed to make irreversible life decisions |
Education › Tuition Fees
Should Ireland abolish university tuition fees?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only for low income families |
Transportation › Eliminating Traffic Laws
Should the government eliminate all traffic laws and rely on voluntary compliance?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
the Economy › Taxes
Should Ireland raise taxes on the rich?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Domestic Policy › United Ireland
Do you support a united Ireland?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Elections › Criminal Politicians
Should a politician who has been formerly convicted of a crime be allowed to run for office?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, and disallow politicians that are under investigation for a crime |
the Economy › Inflation
Has the government done enough to lower inflation?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Social › Gender Workplace Diversity
Should businesses be required to have women on their board of directors?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, board members should be the most qualified regardless of gender |
Housing › Private Rental Dependence
Should the government shift from private rentals to public housing to improve affordability?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Housing › Green Spaces
Should new housing developments be required to include green spaces and parks?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Social › Euthanasia
Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only if there is no chance they will survive their illness |
the Economy › Four-day Workweek
Should Ireland transition to a four-day workweek?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Economy › Water Charges
Should water charges be abolished?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Elections › Mental competency testing
Should politicians over 75 years of age have required to pass a mental competency test?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Social › Transgender Athletes
Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete against athletes that differ from their assigned sex at birth?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, athletes should compete based on the biological sex that is listed on their birth certificate |
the Environment › Greenhouse Emissions
Should the EU cut greenhouse emissions to net-zero by 2050?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Environment › Environmental Regulation
Should the government increase environmental regulations on businesses to reduce carbon emissions?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and provide more incentives for alternative energy production |
Science › Mandatory Vaccinations
Should the government require children to be vaccinated for preventable diseases?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › United States of Europe
Should the EU evolve into the United States of Europe?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Technology › Ethical Artificial Intelligence
Should the government regulate artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure ethical use?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Healthcare › Healthcare Privatisation
Should there be more or less privatisation of hospital and healthcare services?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseLess, and provide more government funding |
Elections › Retirement Age of Politicians
Should politicians be required to wait until the age of 65 to receive a pension?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, they should have the same entitlements as the citizens they represent |
Transportation › High Speed Rail
Should the government provide subsidies for the development of high-speed rail networks?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Crime › Drug Trafficking Penalties
Should drug traffickers receive the death penalty?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, I do not believe in the death penalty |
the Economy › Tax on Wealthy and Corporations
Do you support tax policies that target high earners, banks, and luxury sectors?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Healthcare › NHS Healthcare System
Should Ireland adopt a public healthcare system similar to the NHS in Britain?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Social › Women in Combat
Should the military allow women to serve in combat roles?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Social › Death Penalty
Do you support the death penalty?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, spending life in prison is a harsher sentence |
Housing › Foreclosure Assistance
Should the government provide assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Economy › Welfare
Should there be fewer or more restrictions on current social welfare benefits?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseMore |
Foreign Policy › Human Rights
Should the EU take a more active stance in foreign conflicts where human rights violations are reported?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Education › Niqāb
Should girls be allowed to wear the niqab or burka in Catholic Schools?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, we should respect all cultural and religious traditions |
Foreign Policy › Foreign Elections
Should the government attempt to influence foreign elections?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Immigration › High Risk Immigrant Ban
Should immigrants from high risk countries be banned from entering the country until the government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Social › Frozen Embryos Legal Status
Should frozen embryos be considered children?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Healthcare › Single-Payer Healthcare
Do you support a single-payer healthcare system?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but allow people to use private insurance |
Science › Genetic Engineering
Should the government fund research into genetic engineering for disease prevention and treatment?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Social › Niqāb
Should women be allowed to wear a Niqāb, or face veil, to civic ceremonies?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but their identity must be privately verified by a female staff member |
the Economy › Labor Unions
Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseHelp |
Immigration › Citizenship Test
Should immigrants be required to pass a citizenship test to demonstrate a basic understanding of our country’s language, history, and government?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and it should test more than just a basic level of understanding |
the Economy › Corporate Tax
Should Ireland raise or lower the tax rate for corporations?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseKeep current rates but eliminate deductions and loop holes |
Immigration › Immigrant Welfare Benefits
Should the government provide social welfare benefits to foreigners?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, as long as they are working and paying taxes |
Immigration › Common Asylum System
Should the EU establish a common asylum system with standardized procedures and shared responsibilities among member states?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Technology › Data Privacy
Should the government impose stricter regulations on the collection and use of personal data by companies?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Healthcare › Safe Haven
Should cities open drug “safe havens” where people who are addicted to illegal drugs can use them under the supervision of medical professionals?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, drug abuse should be treated as a health issue, not a criminal issue |
Housing › High density residential buildings
Should the government incentivize the construction of high density residential buildings?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Environment › Fox Hunting
Do you support the practice of hunting foxes with dogs?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Healthcare › Marketing Unhealthy Products to Youth
Should the government ban the promotion of products that contribute to unhealthy lifestyles for young people, such as vaping and junk food?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, fund awareness and labels about the dangers of these products instead |
Foreign Policy › EU Authoritarian Sanctions
Should the EU sanction member countries with authoritarian governments?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Economy › Bonus Cap
Should bankers’ bonuses be capped at 100% of their pay?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › Two State Solution for Israel and Palestine
Do you support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Crime › Demilitarize the Police
Should police departments be allowed to use military grade equipment?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, extreme situations should be handled by higher agencies with specialized training and equipment |
Domestic Policy › EU Federalism
Should the EU take steps towards a more federal structure, similar to the United States of America?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Elections › Campaign Finance
Should corporations, unions, and non-profit organizations be allowed to donate to political parties?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, these types of donations just turn into bribes |
Domestic Policy › Seanad Éireann Electoral System
Should the Seanad be a wholly elected body?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Elections › Right of Foreigners to Vote
Should foreigners currently residing in Ireland have the right to vote?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, anyone who pays taxes should have the right to vote |
Immigration › Skilled Immigrants
Should Ireland increase or decrease the amount of temporary work visas given to high-skilled immigrant workers?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseIncrease, our economy relies on businesses hiring the highest skilled workers at the lowest cost |
the Environment › Plastic Product Ban
Should disposable products (such as plastic cups, plates, and cutlery) that contain less than 50% of biodegradable material be banned?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and ban all disposable products that are not made of at least 75% of biodegradable material |
the Environment › Geoengineering
Should the government fund research into geoengineering as a way to combat climate change?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Transportation › Electric Vehicle Mandates
Should the government require all new cars to be electric or hybrid by a certain date?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, incentivize consumers and manufacturers instead of forcing them |
Healthcare › Marijuana
Do you support the legalisation of Marijuana?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only for medical use |
the Economy › Economic Stimulus
Should the government use economic stimulus to aid the country during times of recession?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, the government should intervene to boost a recovery |
National Security › Facial Recognition
Should the government use facial recognition technology for mass surveillance to enhance public safety?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, it sets a dangerous precedent for government control over citizens |
the Economy › Domestic Jobs
Should the government provide tax incentives to private companies to keep jobs within the country?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Economy › State Ownership
Should the government acquire equity stakes in companies it bails out during a recession?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, the government should receive equity for any financial aid they provide to companies |
Science › Lab Grown Meat
Should the government allow the commercialization of lab-grown meat?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, we need more long-term studies to ensure safety |
Elections › Minimum Voting Age
Should the minimum voting age be lowered?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, it should be raised |
Crime › Criminal Voting Rights
Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, every citizen deserves the right to vote |
Housing › Homeless Encampments
Should homeless individuals, that have refused available shelter or housing, be allowed to sleep or encamp on public property?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, to sleep but not encamp |
the Economy › CEO Pay Cap
Should the government enforce a cap on CEO pay relative to the pay of their employees?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › European Commission
Should the European Commission be dismantled?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Foreign Policy › Ukraine and Nato
Should Ukraine join NATO?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, this should be decided after the current war ends so we avoid a third world war |
the Economy › Surcharge Ban
Should the government ban surcharges tacked onto concert tickets, cable bills, banking services, hotel bookings and other purchases?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Education › Free Tuition Fees Scheme
Should the free tuition fees scheme be available to foreign students?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Foreign Policy › Foreign Aid
Should Ireland increase or decrease foreign aid spending?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseIncrease |
National Security › Foreign Assassination
Should Ireland assassinate suspected terrorists in foreign countries?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, they should be captured and given a fair trial |
Transportation › Bicycles and Bike Lanes
Should the government promote the use of bicycles by expanding bike lanes and bike-sharing programs?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Education › Student Exchange Programs
Do you support the increase of the EU budget for student exchange programs like Erasmus+?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Domestic Policy › Term Limits
Should there be term limits set for members of the Dáil Éireann?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, term limits will increase performance and prevent corruption |
the Environment › Genetically Modified Foods
Do you support the use of genetically engineered crops and foods?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but require the labelling of foods that are genetically modified |
Healthcare › Medical Consensus
Should medical boards penalize doctors who give health advice that contradicts contemporary scientific consensus?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, this will decrease the amount of misinformation patients receive |
Immigration › Immigrant Assimilation
Should immigrants be expected to learn the official language of their new country?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but the government should provide free language learning courses |
the Environment › Fishing Rights
Should the EU impose stricter limitations on fishing quotas to preserve marine ecosystems?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Domestic Policy › Northern Ireland Power Sharing
Should the power-sharing provincial government be restored in Northern Ireland?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Transportation › Distracted Driving Penalties
Should the government increase penalties for distracted driving?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › Backstop
Should the U.K. and Northern Ireland remain in the EU’s customs area after Brexit?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Environment › Fracking
Do you support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, more research is needed to measure the long term effects of fracking |
Transportation › Fuel Efficiency Requirements
Should the government impose stricter fuel efficiency standards on vehicles?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and also invest in high speed rail and public transportation |
Crime › Defunding the Police
Should funding for local police departments be redirected to social and community based programs?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
the Economy › Corporate Taxation
Should there be a minimum corporate tax rate set across the EU to avoid tax competition between member states?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Transportation › Carpooling and Shared Transportation
Should the government provide incentives for carpooling and the use of shared transportation services?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Domestic Policy › Political Advertising on Social Media
Should social media companies ban political advertising?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › Post Brexit UK
Should the UK be allowed to access European Markets once they leave the EU?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
the Economy › Private Equity Compensation
Should the government increase taxes on private equity executives?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Transportation › Congestion Pricing
Should cities implement congestion pricing to reduce traffic in busy urban areas?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
the Environment › Carbon Capture Subsidies
Should the government provide subsidies for companies developing carbon capture technologies?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Elections › Seanad Éireann Referendum
Should the Seanad be abolished?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
the Environment › EU Energy Union
Should the EU create an energy union?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
National Security › National Identification System
Should the government implement a national identification system to enhance security and prevent fraud?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Crime › Prison Overcrowding
Should non-violent prisoners be released from jail in order to reduce overcrowding?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, but we should increase funding to offer education and skill building services for prisoners |
Foreign Policy › EU Army
Should the EU should form its own army independent of NATO?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
the Economy › Offshore Banking
Should Irish citizens be allowed to save or invest their money in offshore bank accounts?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Crime › EU Legal System Integration
Should the EU move towards a more integrated legal system with uniform civil and criminal laws across all member states?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
the Economy › Youth Unemployment
Should the EU implement a union-wide policy to combat youth unemployment specifically?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › AI Warfare Ethics
Should the military use weapons guided by artificial intelligence?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
the Economy › Energy Independence
Should the EU prioritize achieving complete energy independence from non-EU countries?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Elections › Elected Representatives
Should the number of elected representatives be reduced?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Domestic Policy › Gambling
Should the government ban gambling?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Immigration › Migrant Children
Should the children of migrants who live in French territories be allowed to join their families?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Environment › EV Subsidies
Should the government provide subsidies to taxpayers who purchase an electric vehicle?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Domestic Policy › Dáil Participation
Should elected Members of Parliament in Northern Ireland be able to sit and participate in the Dáil?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Foreign Policy › Central EU Agency
Should intelligence agencies be merged to create a central EU agency?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Economy › Tech Monopolies
Should the government break up Amazon, Facebook and Google?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Social › Cultural Funding
Should the EU increase funding for cultural initiatives that promote European heritage and diversity?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Social › Misgendering
Should parents lose custody for intentionally misgendering their child?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Foreign Policy › Brexit
Should the EU work towards a closer relationship with the UK post-Brexit, including potential re-entry?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Transportation › Ride-Sharing Subsidies
Should the government subsidize ride-sharing services for low-income individuals?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Economy › EU Fiscal Integration
Should the EU adopt a shared fiscal policy and budget among member states to stabilize the economy?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
the Economy › EU Tax
Do you believe there should be an EU-wide tax on financial transactions
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Technology › Social Media Regulation
Should the government mandate that large tech companies share their algorithms with regulators?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and all software and algorithms should be open source |
Technology › Self Hosted Digital Wallets
Should citizens be allowed to secure their money in self-hosted digital wallets that the government can monitor but not control?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and also allowed to use a privacy layer that prevents monitoring of funds and transactions |
the Economy › Decentralised Finance
Should the technology of our financial system transition to a decentralized protocol, that is not owned or controlled by any corporation, similar to the internet?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
National Security › Backdoor Access to Encrypted Communications
Should the government require tech companies to provide backdoor access to encrypted communications for national security purposes?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Transportation › Autonomous Vehicle Regulation
Should the government regulate the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Economy › Public Sector Borrowing
Should the government reduce public sector borrowing?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › EU Expansion
Do you support further enlargement of the EU to include more countries from the Western Balkans?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Economy › Renegotiating Foreign Debt
Should Ireland renegotiate its debt obligations to adversarial nations?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Domestic Policy › Right to Repair
Should the EU enforce a universal right to repair for all electronic devices sold in its member states?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
National Security › Cross-border Payments
Should the government ban its citizens from using cross-border payment methods (like crypto) to send money to relatives in OFAC sanctioned countries (Palestine, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, and North Korea)?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
the Economy › Stock Buybacks
Should the government tax stock buybacks?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Economy › EU Capital Market Union
Should the EU create a capital market union?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Technology › Cryptocurrencies
Should the government implement stricter regulations on the use of cryptocurrencies?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Science › Space Exploration
Should the EU invest more heavily in its own space exploration and satellite programs?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Social › Land Acknowledgment Statements
Should major public events include land acknowledgment statements?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Transportation › Traditional Automotive Design
Should the government require that all new vehicles be designed to preserve classic automobile aesthetics?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
