Michael D. Higgins’ Policies on Economic Issues

the Economy › Equal Pay

Should employers be required to pay men and women the same salary for the same job?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and businesses should be required to publish their salary ranges for each position

the Economy › Minimum Wage

Should the government raise the national minimum wage?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and make it a living wage

the Economy › Social Housing

Should funding for social housing be increased?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes

the Economy › Taxes

Should Ireland raise taxes on the rich?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseLower the income tax rate and remove all existing tax loopholes for large corporations

the Economy › Corporate Tax

Should the government raise or lower the tax rate for corporations?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseRaise

the Economy › Water Charges

Should water charges be abolished?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes

the Economy › Inheritance Tax

Should the government abolish the inheritance tax?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, reform so the tax rate is based on the wealth of the recipient rather than the deceased

the Economy › Welfare Drug Testing

Should social welfare recipients be tested for drugs?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, only if they have a criminal history related to drug abuse

the Economy › Bonus Cap

Should bankers’ bonuses be capped at 100% of their pay?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and lower the cap to 50%

the Economy › Government Spending

Should the government make cuts to public spending in order to reduce the national debt?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, cuts to public spending will negatively affect the economy

the Economy › Universal Basic Income

Do you support a universal basic income program?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, everyone should receive an income to cover basic necessities including food and housing

the Economy › Labor Unions

Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseHelp, but ban their ability to make political donations

the Economy › Economic Stimulus

Should the government use economic stimulus to aid the country during times of recession?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but in the form of assisting sectors most heavily hit by the recession

the Economy › Domestic Jobs

Should the government provide tax incentives to private companies to keep jobs within the country?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and drastically increase taxes and import tariffs on outsourcing businesses

the Economy › VAT Rates

Should VAT rates be increased or decreased?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseDecrease, but only on food and medicine

the Economy › Tariffs

Should the government add or increase tariffs on products imported into the country?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, a global free trade system is better for our businesses and consumers

the Economy › Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Do you support the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but more priority should be given to food safety and environmental protection

the Economy › Tech Monopolies

Should the government break up Amazon, Facebook and Google?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo

the Economy › Bitcoin

Should the government classify Bitcoin as a legal currency?

Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, classify it as a commodity

Michael D. Higgins