EDIT: I would like to caveat this post by saying, as an environmentalist and progressive, I want a lot more from my government than this list, but this is just to show to those who don’t normally engage with politicians the sort of more “grounded” ideas that can be achieved within a few years. The bigger system change that people look for takes a lot longer then one term!
With the general election just around the corner, I’ve been thinking about a few realistic suggestions I am going to raise with candidates if they ever come to my door. As a former councillor and candidate, I understand how anxiety-enducing it can be to challenge candidates on issues, but I LOVED it! Somebody on the door, interested in even the smallest of issues, created a space for honest discussions, understanding points of view, and to show people my vision for the community and country.
I know that most of the candidates would genuinely welcome interaction and questions from those on the door, so do not be afraid to have your list of priorities. Hopefully to inspire some, here is my (realistic) election wishlist.
1. Don’t Ditch the USC
Let’s talk about the Universal Social Charge (USC). Sure, it’s not exactly the sexiest issue in the world, but it’s one of the most progressive taxes in the country. It ensures that those who earn more contribute more, which is kind of how fair taxation should work, right? David Gibney wrote about this back in 2016 for the journal.ie, stating “that 75% of the USC raised (€3bn) comes from the top 20% of earners and 43% comes from those earning more than €100,000.” With those numbers, it is clear that the USC is a progressive tax, and as a progressive myself, it is a core value of mine that those who earn more pay more.
I see self-claimed centre left paries call for the scrapping for the USC altogether, and its madness. That’s regressive policy, plain and simple. If anything, we should be looking at how to make it even more effective at reducing inequality. So, I’m asking candidates: Do you support keeping and improving the USC, or are you planning to send us down the path of inequity?
2. Getting 24-hour bus lanes
If you’ve ever been stuck behind a bus swerving around parked cars during “non-bus-lane hours,” you know the pain. Rathmines and Rathgar roads are particularly bad for this—clogged with traffic because we haven’t fully committed to prioritising buses. As someone who works remotely, I am lucky I don’t see the hellish traffic that is the 9am rush, but I do see buses getting stuck behind parked cars in Rathmines Village, and considering many people head to the City Centre in the evenings to catch up with friends or see shows, an efficient bus service is as important at 7pm as it is at 7am.
A simple solution: 24-hour bus lanes. They’re not radical; they’re just practical. So, I’m asking: Are you willing to back permanent bus lanes to make public transport faster and more reliable, or are we doomed to keep crawling at a snail’s pace?
3. Cybersecurity, Data Protection: Let’s Lead, Not Lag
Ireland is a global hub for data protection, thanks to the combination of multinational tech companies based on this island and the DPC being the data protection regulator for these organisations. But let’s be real—we’re punching below our weight here. Cybersecurity and digital rights have been sitting on the back burner for far too long. The cronic underfunding of the DPC and their almost confrontational approach to DPOs (which is in contrast when you look at the UK and the ICO), it is clear that we can do better.
That is not the end of it. The EU’s NIS2 Directive setting new standards for cybersecurity was supposed to be enshrined in Irish law by the 17th of October 2024, which did not happen. That shows the world that we are not taking this issue seriously. It is difficult for organisations to be compliant with laws that should be in place because of deadlines in the NIS2 Directive that do not exist on a state level; it is a real failure of this government. So, I’m asking candidates to:
- Prioritise implementing NIS2 into Irish law.
- Increase funding for the DPC to do its job properly.
- Boost education in digital forensics and data protection so we can grow the workforce this field desperately needs.
4. Renting Shouldn’t Be a Gamble
Ah, the joys of renting. Between damp houses, sky-high heating bills, and the eternal battle to get your deposit back, it can feel like renters are an afterthought in Ireland’s housing policies. Most of the conversation around housing seems to focus on homeowners, and renters feel forgotten in this housing crisis. I want to know:
- Will you back stronger protections to hold landlords accountable for substandard living conditions?
- What about making it easier to reclaim deposits?
Because honestly, renting shouldn’t feel like a game where the house landlord always wins.
In Conclusion
So there you have it—my election priorities in a nutshell. These aren’t pie-in-the-sky ideals; they’re things we can and should fix to make Ireland fairer and just a little more livable.