@8DG6RF4

Social › Abortion

What is your stance on abortion?

8>8 Personal answerPro-choice, and providing birth control, sex education, and more social services will help reduce the number of abortions

Social › Gay Marriage

Do you support the legalisation of same sex marriage?

8>8 Personal answerYes

the Economy › Equal Pay

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

8>8 Personal answerNo, there are too many other variables such as education, experience, and tenure that determine a fair salary

Healthcare › Mental Health

Should the government increase funding for mental health research and treatment?

8>8 Personal answerYes, our mental healthcare system needs more funding to provide a higher quality of care and services

Foreign Policy › European Union

Should Ireland withdraw from the European Union?

8>8 Personal answerNo, I'm not vehemently Pro-EU but leaving the union would cause more problems than it'd solve, look at Brexit!

Social › LGBT Adoption Rights

Should gay couples have the same adoption rights as straight couples?

8>8 Personal answerYes, as long as they pass the same background checks as straight couples

Education › Irish Language Curriculum

Should the Irish language remain a compulsory subject on the national curriculum?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but focus more on the ability to speak and understand the language instead of analysing poems, stories, and phrases

Transportation › Public Transportation

Should the government increase spending on public transportation?

8>8 Personal answerYes and improve the quality & expand timeframe of buses & trains i.e. Dublin Bus

Foreign Policy › Military Neutrality

Should Ireland end its traditional policy of military neutrality?

8>8 Personal answerNo, we'd get destroyed in any major conflict due to the size of the country and we've always prided ourselves on neutrality and not meddling with the affairs of third-world countries like Britain and the USA

Domestic Policy › Government Surveillance

Should the government be able to monitor phone calls and emails?

8>8 Personal answerYes, this is necessary to combat terrorism

Foreign Policy › Mandatory Military Service

Should every 18 year old citizen be required to provide at least one year of military service?

8>8 Personal answerNo

the Economy › Minimum Wage

Should the government raise the national minimum wage?

8>8 Personal answerYes, and adjust it every year according to inflation

the Economy › Social Housing

Should funding for social housing be increased?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Domestic Policy › United Ireland

Do you support a united Ireland?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but only if both sides independently and overwhelmingly vote in favor of it

Education › Tuition Fees

Should Ireland abolish university tuition fees?

8>8 Personal answerNo, but they should be reduced

the Economy › Taxes

Should Ireland raise taxes on the rich?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Immigration › Muslim Immigrant Ban

Should Muslim immigrants be banned from entering the country until the government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists?

8>8 Personal answerNo, but a background check should be conducted of all immigrants coming into the country.

Social › Gender Workplace Diversity

Should businesses be required to have women on their board of directors?

8>8 Personal answerNo, board members should be the most qualified regardless of gender

Social › Euthanasia

Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but only if there is no chance they will survive their illness

Elections › Criminal Politicians

Should a politician, who has been formerly convicted of a crime, be allowed to run for office?

8>8 Personal answerYes, as long as it was not a felony, violent, financial, or sexual crime

Social › Hate Speech

Should hate speech be protected by freedom of speech laws?

8>8 Personal answerNo, there must be a clear definition of what constitutes hate speech and this will enable authorities to crack down on it. There are far too many people on social media in Ireland spewing hate speech and posing as martyrs when they're punished for it i.e. Gemma O'Doherty

the Economy › Inheritance Tax

Should the government abolish the inheritance tax?

8>8 Personal answerNo, reform so the tax rate is based on the wealth of the recipient rather than the deceased

Immigration › EU Migrant Quota

Should the EU impose a quota of migrants per country?

8>8 Personal answerNo

Foreign Policy › United States of Europe

Should the EU evolve into the United States of Europe?

8>8 Personal answerNo

Crime › Drug Trafficking Penalties

Should drug traffickers receive the death penalty?

8>8 Personal answerNo, I do not believe in the death penalty

the Environment › Environmental Regulation

Should the government increase environmental regulations on businesses to reduce carbon emissions?

8>8 Personal answerYes, and provide more incentives for alternative energy production

Science › Mandatory Vaccinations

Should the government require children to be vaccinated for preventable diseases?

8>8 Personal answerNo, but hold parents criminally liable for transferring deadly diseases to other children

Foreign Policy › Foreign Elections

Should the government attempt to influence foreign elections?

8>8 Personal answerNo, and we should not try to influence any other country’s elections or policy

Healthcare › Healthcare Privatisation

Should there be more or less privatisation of hospital and healthcare services?

8>8 Personal answerLess, and there should be no privatization of the healthcare industry

Social › Transgender Athletes

Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete against athletes that differ from their assigned sex at birth?

8>8 Personal answerNo, I support trans people and I feel bad opposing them competing in athletic events, but the reality is that trans women still have male hormones from pre-transition, meaning they're taller and heavier in most cases and thus hold an undeniable advantage over cisgender female athletes

the Economy › Water Charges

Should water charges be abolished?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Domestic Policy › Whistleblower Protection

Should the government pass laws which protect whistleblowers?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Social › Women in Combat

Should the military allow women to serve in combat roles?

8>8 Personal answerYes, as long as they can pass the same physical tests as men

the Environment › Animal Testing

Should researchers be allowed to use animals in testing the safety of drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and cosmetics?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but not for cosmetics

Healthcare › NHS Healthcare System

Should Ireland adopt a public healthcare system similar to the NHS in Britain?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Elections › Retirement Age of Politicians

Should politicians be required to wait until the age of 65 to receive a pension?

8>8 Personal answerYes, they should have the same entitlements as the citizens they represent

Healthcare › Single-Payer Healthcare

Do you support a single-payer healthcare system?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Social › Niqāb

Should women be allowed to wear a Niqāb, or face veil, to civic ceremonies?

8>8 Personal answerYes, we should respect all cultural traditions

the Economy › Welfare

Should there be fewer or more restrictions on current social welfare benefits?

8>8 Personal answerMore, reform the system so that it supplements, rather than replaces, a working income

Social › Death Penalty

Do you support the death penalty?

8>8 Personal answerNo, spending life in prison is a harsher sentence

the Economy › Labor Unions

Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy?

8>8 Personal answerThey're a necessity to represent the rights of the working man and uphold them and give them a voice.

Education › Niqāb

Should girls be allowed to wear the niqab or burka in Catholic Schools?

8>8 Personal answerYes, we should respect all cultural and religious traditions

Crime › Private Prisons

Should the government hire private companies to run prisons?

8>8 Personal answerNo, private prisons will sacrifice quality of care and rehabilitation services for profit

the Economy › Corporate Tax

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

8>8 Personal answerRaise

the Economy › Universal Basic Income

Do you support a universal basic income program?

8>8 Personal answerYes, everyone should receive an income to cover basic necessities including food and housing

Domestic Policy › Drug Policy

Are you in favour of decriminalising drug use?

8>8 Personal answerDecriminalise drug use, but punish drug dealing & smuggling severely

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?

8>8 Personal answerNo, most citizens couldn’t even pass a citizenship test

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?

8>8 Personal answerYes

the Economy › Welfare Drug Testing

Should social welfare recipients be tested for drugs?

8>8 Personal answerNo, this is a waste of time and money

Immigration › Immigrant Welfare Benefits

Should the government provide social welfare benefits to foreigners?

8>8 Personal answerYes

the Environment › Fox Hunting

Do you support the practice of hunting foxes with dogs?

8>8 Personal answerNo, this is a cruel sport which should remain illegal

the Economy › Government Spending

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

8>8 Personal answerNo, increase taxes on the wealthy instead

Foreign Policy › EU Authoritarian Sanctions

Should the EU sanction member countries with authoritarian governments?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Foreign Policy › EU Army

Do you support the creation of a European Army?

8>8 Personal answerNo

Foreign Policy › Israel Boycott

Should it be illegal to join a boycott of Israel?

8>8 Personal answerNo, Israel should be boycotted for their current human rights violations imposed on the people of Palestine in a similar fashion to how we boycotted products from South Africa in the 1980's

the Economy › Bonus Cap

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

8>8 Personal answerYes

Elections › Campaign Finance

Should corporations, unions, and non-profit organizations be allowed to donate to political parties?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Domestic Policy › Social Media Regulation

Should the government regulate social media sites, as a means to prevent fake news and misinformation?

8>8 Personal answerNo, social media companies are private and should not be regulated by the government

Foreign Policy › European Union Countries

Should the number of countries in the European Union be reduced to 15?

8>8 Personal answerNo

Domestic Policy › Seanad Éireann Electoral System

Should the Seanad be a wholly elected body?

8>8 Personal answerSeanad should be dismantled, it is essentially a waste of money and a fallback for candidates that didn't get elected to the Dail. If this is done however, more of a light needs to be shone on the work done and concerns raised by local councillors nationwide.

Immigration › Dual Citizenship

Should immigrants to Ireland be allowed to hold dual citizenship status?

8>8 Personal answerYes

the Economy › Economic Stimulus

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

8>8 Personal answerYes

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?

8>8 Personal answerNo, increase consumer incentives to recycle these products instead

the Economy › State Ownership

Should the government acquire equity stakes in companies it bails out during a recession?

8>8 Personal answerYes, the government should receive equity for any financial aid they provide to companies

Immigration › Skilled Immigrants

Should the government increase or decrease the amount of temporary work visas given to high-skilled immigrant workers?

8>8 Personal answerIncrease

Elections › Right of Foreigners to Vote

Should foreigners, currently residing in Ireland, have the right to vote?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but only after living in the country for 5 years

Science › Nuclear Energy

Do you support the use of nuclear energy?

8>8 Personal answerNo, we should invest in cleaner alternatives such as wind, hydroelectric, thorium, and geothermal

Healthcare › Marijuana

Do you support the legalisation of Marijuana?

8>8 Personal answerYes, and legalise, tax, and regulate marijuana instead of criminalizing it

the Economy › Domestic Jobs

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

8>8 Personal answerNo, but drastically increase taxes and import tariffs on outsourcing businesses

Crime › Criminal Voting Rights

Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?

8>8 Personal answerYes, except for felons convicted of murder or violent crimes

Foreign Policy › Foreign Aid

Should Ireland increase or decrease foreign aid spending?

8>8 Personal answerDecrease

Elections › Minimum Voting Age

Should the minimum voting age be lowered?

8>8 Personal answerYes, any citizen that pays taxes should be allowed to vote

Foreign Policy › Hong Kong Fugitive Extradition

Should the Chinese government be able to extradite fugitives from Hong Kong?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Foreign Policy › European Commission

Should the European Commission be dismantled?

8>8 Personal answerNo

National Security › Foreign Assassination

Should Ireland assassinate suspected terrorists in foreign countries?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but only if there is undeniable evidence they are planning to attack our country

the Environment › Genetically Modified Foods

Do you support the use of genetically engineered crops and foods?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but require the labelling of foods that are genetically modified

the Economy › VAT Rates

Should VAT rates be increased or decreased?

8>8 Personal answerDecrease, but only on food and medicine

Education › Free Tuition Fees Scheme

Should the free tuition fees scheme be available to foreign students?

8>8 Personal answerYes, foreign students deserve the same education opportunities as citizens

Elections › Voting Rights Abroad

Should Irish citizens, living abroad and in Northern Ireland, have the right to vote in presidential elections?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Domestic Policy › Term Limits

Should there be term limits set for members of the Dáil Éireann?

8>8 Personal answerNo, we already have term limits that are called “elections”

Foreign Policy › Backstop

Should the U.K. and Northern Ireland remain in the EU’s customs area after Brexit?

8>8 Personal answerNo

Immigration › Immigrant Assimilation

Should immigrants be required to learn English?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but the government should provide free language learning courses

Domestic Policy › Northern Ireland Power Sharing

Should the power-sharing provincial government be restored in Northern Ireland?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Healthcare › World Health Organization

Should the government fund the World Health Organization?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but only relative to the amount that other countries contribute

Foreign Policy › Military Spending

Should Ireland increase or decrease military spending?

8>8 Personal answerNeither, I am satisfied with the current amount of spending

the Environment › Fracking

Do you support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources?

8>8 Personal answerNo, we should pursue more sustainable energy resources instead

Elections › Seanad Éireann Referendum

Should the Seanad be abolished?

8>8 Personal answerYes

Crime › Free Legal Aid

Should repeat offenders be entitled to free legal aid?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but deny after three crimes

Crime › Defunding the Police

Should funding for local police departments be redirected to social and community based programs?

8>8 Personal answerNo, but Social & Community Based Programmes are worth investing in at the same time, just not at the expense of the Gardai.

Foreign Policy › Post Brexit UK

Should the UK be allowed to access European Markets once they leave the EU?

8>8 Personal answerNo

the Economy › Offshore Banking

Should Irish citizens be allowed to save or invest their money in offshore bank accounts?

8>8 Personal answerNo, too many wealthy citizens are abusing loopholes in offshore banking laws to evade taxes

Domestic Policy › Political Advertising on Social Media

Should social media companies ban political advertising?

8>8 Personal answerNo, Social Media is a powerful tool for candidates of all political persuasions to advertise themselves to the Public and in this day and age it should be promoted. Any candidate not in violation of hate speech legislation should be allowed to sell themselves on social media to people in their communities.

the Economy › Government Pensions

Should pension payments be increased for retired government workers?

8>8 Personal answerNo, they should be reduced

Crime › Prison Overcrowding

Should non-violent prisoners be released from jail in order to reduce overcrowding?

8>8 Personal answerYes, but they must perform community service on a daily basis

Elections › Elected Representatives

Should the number of elected representatives be reduced?

8>8 Personal answerNo, but reduce their salaries and retirement benefits

Domestic Policy › Flag Burning

Should it be illegal to burn the Irish flag?

8>8 Personal answerThis is done in the North by Loyalists to oppress Irish people living in the North on 12th July. For this reason alone, it should be illegal to burn the flag of any nation.

the Economy › Tariffs

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

8>8 Personal answerYes

Domestic Policy › Gambling

Should the government ban gambling?

8>8 Personal answerNo, but increase funding and facilities for people suffering with gambling addictions.

the Economy › Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

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

8>8 Personal answerYes

Immigration › Migrant Children

Should the children of migrants who live in French territories be allowed to join their families?

8>8 Personal answerYes, imagine being cruel enough to want to separate children from their parents

the Environment › Corporate Subsidies

Should cities be allowed to offer private companies economic incentives to relocate?

8>8 Personal answerNo, spend that money on improving infrastructure and the community to attract companies

Domestic Policy › Dáil Participation

Should elected Members of Parliament in Northern Ireland be able to sit and participate in the Dáil?

8>8 Personal answerYes, on occasion they should be welcome to

Foreign Policy › Central EU Agency

Should intelligence agencies be merged to create a central EU agency?

8>8 Personal answerYes

the Economy › Bitcoin

Should the government classify Bitcoin as a legal currency?

8>8 Personal answerNo, classify it as a commodity

@8DG6RF4

Answers

Topics

What is your stance on abortion?

Do you support the legalisation of same sex marriage?

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

Should the government increase funding for mental health research and treatment?

Should Ireland withdraw from the European Union?

Should gay couples have the same adoption rights as straight couples?

Should the Irish language remain a compulsory subject on the national curriculum?

Should the government increase spending on public transportation?

Should Ireland end its traditional policy of military neutrality?

Should the government be able to monitor phone calls and emails?

Should every 18 year old citizen be required to provide at least one year of military service?

Should the government raise the national minimum wage?

Should funding for social housing be increased?

Do you support a united Ireland?

Should Ireland abolish university tuition fees?

Should Ireland raise taxes on the rich?

Should Muslim immigrants be banned from entering the country until the government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists?

Should businesses be required to have women on their board of directors?

Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?

Should a politician, who has been formerly convicted of a crime, be allowed to run for office?

Should hate speech be protected by freedom of speech laws?

Should the government abolish the inheritance tax?

Should the EU impose a quota of migrants per country?

Should the EU evolve into the United States of Europe?

Should drug traffickers receive the death penalty?

Should the government increase environmental regulations on businesses to reduce carbon emissions?

Should the government require children to be vaccinated for preventable diseases?

Should the government attempt to influence foreign elections?

Should there be more or less privatisation of hospital and healthcare services?

Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete against athletes that differ from their assigned sex at birth?

Should water charges be abolished?

Should the government pass laws which protect whistleblowers?

Should the military allow women to serve in combat roles?

Should researchers be allowed to use animals in testing the safety of drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and cosmetics?

Should Ireland adopt a public healthcare system similar to the NHS in Britain?

Should politicians be required to wait until the age of 65 to receive a pension?

Do you support a single-payer healthcare system?

Should women be allowed to wear a Niqāb, or face veil, to civic ceremonies?

Should there be fewer or more restrictions on current social welfare benefits?

Do you support the death penalty?

Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy?

Should girls be allowed to wear the niqab or burka in Catholic Schools?

Should the government hire private companies to run prisons?

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

Do you support a universal basic income program?

Are you in favour of decriminalising drug use?

Should immigrants be required to pass a citizenship test to demonstrate a basic understanding of our country’s language, history, and government?

Should cities open drug “safe havens” where people who are addicted to illegal drugs can use them under the supervision of medical professionals?

Should social welfare recipients be tested for drugs?

Should the government provide social welfare benefits to foreigners?

Do you support the practice of hunting foxes with dogs?

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

Should the EU sanction member countries with authoritarian governments?

Do you support the creation of a European Army?

Should it be illegal to join a boycott of Israel?

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

Should corporations, unions, and non-profit organizations be allowed to donate to political parties?

Should the government regulate social media sites, as a means to prevent fake news and misinformation?

Should the number of countries in the European Union be reduced to 15?

Should the Seanad be a wholly elected body?

Should immigrants to Ireland be allowed to hold dual citizenship status?

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

Should disposable products (such as plastic cups, plates, and cutlery) that contain less than 50% of biodegradable material be banned?

Should the government acquire equity stakes in companies it bails out during a recession?

Should the government increase or decrease the amount of temporary work visas given to high-skilled immigrant workers?

Should foreigners, currently residing in Ireland, have the right to vote?

Do you support the use of nuclear energy?

Do you support the legalisation of Marijuana?

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

Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?

Should Ireland increase or decrease foreign aid spending?

Should the minimum voting age be lowered?

Should the Chinese government be able to extradite fugitives from Hong Kong?

Should the European Commission be dismantled?

Should Ireland assassinate suspected terrorists in foreign countries?

Do you support the use of genetically engineered crops and foods?

Should VAT rates be increased or decreased?