European Elections: An interview with Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan (MEP)

Should Ireland leave the EU?

No, but we need to to see far reaching radical change.   Change that is about defending national sovereignty and returning more power to member states. An end to the militarisation agenda and the drive towards an EU Army.  We also need to see social protections strengthened and climate action prioritised.

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

The top rate of income tax should continue to be 40%. However we have argued for a 5% income levy on individual incomes above €140,000. What we need is a fair and progressive tax system and not Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's incoherent tax policies which benefit the wealthy including absurd corporation tax breaks for banks, where AIB's profits of €1.2bn are not taxed.

Do you support the introduction of a carbon tax?

No, I'm opposed to carbon taxes because they don't work, put more pressure on already struggling families and are a distraction from taking real climate action. Instead of pursuing failed policies, we need to fully enforce binding targets on the biggest polluters and ensure a full decarbonisation of our economies before 2050, including a phase out date for fossil fuels.

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

Yes, everyone should be able to access, and provide, medical services in safety and without fear of harassment.

Should injection centres be allowed?

Yes I support the use of safe, supervised injection centres and they have proven themselves to work in other places. They have been recommended by the Drugs Advisory Body as far back as 2005.

Do you support transgender rights?

Yes, trans rights are human rights. The government should be doing much more to meet the needs of the transgender community. Sinn Féin nominated Lydia Foy for the European Citizens Award and brought a delegation of transgender activists and legal representatives to Brussels to support Lydia as she received her award.

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

Yes. Direct provision is an appalling system which effectively warehouses those seeking asylum in this country for prolonged periods. We need to move to a model which would restore both basic decency and dignity to the process of seeking asylum.

Should Ireland boycott the Eurovision in Tel Aviv?

Definitely. The Eurovision Song Contest should not be used as a tool for Israel to whitewash its daily human rights abuse, breaches of international law through illegal settlement building and the murder of Palestinians in Gaza.

Should marijuana be legalised?

Yes for medicinal purposes.

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

Yes, but the real problem is regulation - and the social media platforms have proven that they are not capable of self-regulation.

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

I am in favour of a United Ireland now and the conversation is already underway. The prospect of a hard border and the continued denial of the civil rights of women, the LGBT community and Irish language speakers in the North is again exposing the fact that a divided Ireland does not serve the needs of our people.

Who should replace John Delaney as CEO of the FAI?

Personally I think it should be somebody like Jonathan O'Brien. Someone who really cares about the sport, cares about the League of Ireland and has a record of stepping up to the plate to help turn around the fortunes of a struggling club.

Any other one thing you want to say?

The next twelve years will be instrumental in determining the future of our planet, that is why I am so committed to climate action. It is why I was part of publishing a Climate Emergency Manifesto and am calling for Climate Change to be the number one priority for the incoming EU Parliament.