European Elections: An interview with Saoirse McHugh of the Green Party

Should Ireland leave the EU?

No, Ireland should definitely not leave the EU. That is not to say that the EU is perfect, but only by participating in it can we transform it.

What should the top rate of income tax be in Ireland?

I'd say a nice 55% between €250,000 and €1 million. After that why not start to increase it? I like the 70% tax on ten million plus.

Do you support the introduction of a carbon tax?

I would support a carbon equivalent fee and dividend if there were other technologies to transition to. What I mean by that is that after rural and urban planning, housing, transport, electricity, and food systems have been reviewed and alternatives are in place, I would support a system by which the carbon equivalent of a fuel be measured and taxed.

Are you in favour of exclusion zones around clinics providing abortion services?

Obviously it would be great if we didn't need exclusion zones. Hopefully the protesters who decide to take their protest to a woman at a really hard time in her life will get tired and realise that it is not going to work. It just turns public opinion against them. Rather than respectable political action, it is bullying and harassment. They should lobby to have another referendum if they must.

Should injection centres be allowed?

Yes, taking a health service based approach to drug use, as opposed to a criminal justice-based approach, has been proven to save lives.

Do you support transgender rights?

Yes, trans rights are human rights.

Would you support an end to direct provision while supporting refugees coming to Ireland?

Yes, we can do so much more to help integrate refugees and provide dignified lives. Allow them to work, attend third level education and become full members of our societies in line with international best practice. While on the topic of refugees, the Irish naval rescue mission in the Mediterranean should not be called off.

Should Ireland boycott the Eurovision in Tel Aviv?

Yes. It is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with Palestine. However, boycotting the Eurovision is irrelevant and tokenistic if we continue to trade with Israel. Ireland should press on with the Occupied Territories Bill asap.

Should marijuana be legalised?

Marijuana should be legalised, but it might take a lot of the fun out of it. Seriously though, it could lead to an improvement of working conditions in grow-houses which, in many cases, is slavery.

Should tech firms like Facebook and Twitter be subject do the same laws as other media and publishers?

This is an odd question because it's a brand new way of publishing. On the one hand, I would be wary of anything that could become restrictive in terms of opinions; on the other, it has definitely become a platform for hate speech and way of organising for the far right. The New Zealand shooter used FB to live-stream his attack, and this can normalise and promote this type of violence. So I don't think they should be subject to the same laws as other media and publishers, but I do think there should be some sort of legal responsibility as to content.

Are you in favour, in the long term, of a United Ireland?

Yes.

Who should replace John Delaney as CEO of the FAI?

I really don't care, I don't see why this is such a big news item. Is it because the NCH overspend report is out now?

Any other one thing you want to say?

Vote for me! (Can I say that?). I want to say that I hope corporation tax policy and climate change become the topics that define this election.