Foreign Policy › European Union
Should Ireland withdraw from the European Union?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Social › Gay Marriage
Do you support the legalisation of same sex marriage?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but allow churches the right to refuse same-sex ceremonies |
Social › Abortion
What is your stance on abortion?
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 |
Healthcare › Mental Health
Should the government increase funding for mental health research and treatment?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, our mental healthcare system needs more funding to provide a higher quality of care and services |
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 |
Foreign Policy › Military Neutrality
Should Ireland end its traditional policy of military neutrality?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
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, they are essential to protecting other children who are too young to be vaccinated |
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 |
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 |
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 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 |
Healthcare › NHS Healthcare System
Should Ireland adopt a public healthcare system similar to the NHS in Britain?
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 |
Domestic Policy › United Ireland
Do you support a united Ireland?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only if both sides independently and overwhelmingly vote in favor of it |
Social › Death Penalty
Do you support the death penalty?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, too many people are innocently convicted |
Social › Euthanasia
Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only after a psychological examination to show they fully understand this choice |
Foreign Policy › Foreign Elections
Should the government attempt to influence foreign elections?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, and we should not try to influence any other country’s elections or policy |
Education › Tuition Fees
Should Ireland abolish university tuition fees?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › United States of Europe
Should the EU evolve into the United States of Europe?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
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 |
Crime › Drug Trafficking Penalties
Should drug traffickers receive the death penalty?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, I do not believe in the death penalty |
Healthcare › Healthcare Privatisation
Should there be more or less privatisation of hospital and healthcare services?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseLess, and there should be no privatization of the healthcare industry |
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 |
the Economy › Corporate Tax
Should the government raise or lower the tax rate for corporations?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseRaise |
Foreign Policy › Israel Boycott
Should it be illegal to join a boycott of Israel?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, this is a violation of free speech |
Domestic Policy › Whistleblower Protection
Should the government pass laws which protect whistleblowers?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only if the information was legally obtained |
Social › Women in Combat
Should the military allow women to serve in combat roles?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, preventing women from serving in combat roles is discriminatory |
Healthcare › Single-Payer Healthcare
Do you support a single-payer healthcare system?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, private companies should not be able to profit off of healthcare |
Crime › Private Prisons
Should the government hire private companies to run prisons?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, private prisons will sacrifice quality of care and rehabilitation services for profit |
Immigration › Muslim Immigrant Ban
Should Muslim immigrants be banned from entering the country until the government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, banning immigrants based on their religion is unconstitutional |
Domestic Policy › Drug Policy
Are you in favour of decriminalising drug use?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time |
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 |
Social › Transgender Athletes
Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete against athletes that differ from their assigned sex at birth?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only if their hormone levels are equivalent to those in the gender category in which they compete |
the Environment › Fox Hunting
Do you support the practice of hunting foxes with dogs?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, this is a cruel sport which should remain illegal |
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% |
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 |
Healthcare › Marijuana
Do you support the legalisation of Marijuana?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only for medical use |
Foreign Policy › EU Army
Do you support the creation of a European Army?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Domestic Policy › Social Media Regulation
Should the government regulate social media sites, as a means to prevent fake news and misinformation?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, the government should not determine what is fake or real news |
the Environment › Fracking
Do you support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, we should pursue more sustainable energy resources instead |
Social › Niqāb
Should women be allowed to wear a Niqāb, or face veil, to civic ceremonies?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, we should respect all cultural traditions |
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 |
Science › Nuclear Energy
Do you support the use of nuclear energy?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, we should invest in cleaner alternatives such as wind, hydroelectric, thorium, and geothermal |
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 |
Foreign Policy › Backstop
Should the U.K. and Northern Ireland remain in the EU’s customs area after Brexit?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, keep the EU bloc’s single market and its customs union |
Immigration › EU Migrant Quota
Should the EU impose a quota of migrants per country?
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, and political campaigns should be publicly funded |
Immigration › Immigrant Assimilation
Should immigrants be required to learn English?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but the government should provide free language learning courses |
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 |
Foreign Policy › European Union Countries
Should the number of countries in the European Union be reduced to 15?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Foreign Policy › Hong Kong Fugitive Extradition
Should the Chinese government be able to extradite fugitives from Hong Kong?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
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, but it should only cover very basic and simple topics |
Immigration › Dual Citizenship
Should immigrants to Ireland be allowed to hold dual citizenship status?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Domestic Policy › Seanad Éireann Electoral System
Should the Seanad be a wholly elected body?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
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 |
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 |
Domestic Policy › Northern Ireland Power Sharing
Should the power-sharing provincial government be restored in Northern Ireland?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
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 |
Elections › Criminal Politicians
Should a politician, who has been formerly convicted of a crime, be allowed to run for office?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, as long as it was not a felony, violent, financial, or sexual crime |
Immigration › Skilled Immigrants
Should the government 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 |
Elections › Seanad Éireann Referendum
Should the Seanad be abolished?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, but make it a body that is wholly elected by the people |
Domestic Policy › Term Limits
Should there be term limits for members of the Dáil?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, and decrease their salary and retirement benefits |
Foreign Policy › European Commission
Should the European Commission be dismantled?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Education › Free Tuition Fees Scheme
Should the free tuition fees scheme be available to foreign students?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Elections › Minimum Voting Age
Should the minimum voting age be lowered?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, and voters should be required to pass a basic test demonstrating their understanding of politics in order to vote |
Elections › Voting Rights Abroad
Should Irish citizens, living abroad and in Northern Ireland, have the right to vote in presidential elections?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only within the first five years of living abroad |
the Economy › VAT Rates
Should VAT rates be increased or decreased?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseDecrease, but only on food and medicine |
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 › Migrant Children
Should the children of migrants who live in French territories be allowed to join their families?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Crime › Free Legal Aid
Should repeat offenders be entitled to free legal aid?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but deny after three crimes |
Foreign Policy › Post Brexit UK
Should the UK be allowed to access European Markets once they leave the EU?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
Elections › Elected Representatives
Should the number of elected representatives be reduced?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, this would give too much political power to a small number of representatives |
Domestic Policy › Political Advertising on Social Media
Should social media companies ban political advertising?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Crime › Criminal Voting Rights
Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but only after completing their sentences and parole/probation |
Crime › Prison Overcrowding
Should non-violent prisoners be released from jail in order to reduce overcrowding?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, but they must perform community service on a daily basis |
Foreign Policy › EU Authoritarian Sanctions
Should the EU sanction member countries with authoritarian governments?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
Foreign Policy › Central EU Agency
Should intelligence agencies be merged to create a central EU agency?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes |
the Environment › Corporate Subsidies
Should cities be allowed to offer private companies economic incentives to relocate?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseYes, as long as the local environment is not compromised |
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 |
Domestic Policy › Flag Burning
Should it be illegal to burn the Irish flag?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo, I don’t respect anyone who does but they should have the right to do so |
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 |
Domestic Policy › Gambling
Should the government ban gambling?
Michael D. Higgins voterbaseNo |
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 |
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 |
