candidatewatch.ie: the voters' virtual memory

CandidateWatch for the Dáil Éireann 2011 General Election

What is CandidateWatch? CandidateWatch is a non-partisan, non-profit project which helps to make election campaigning more transparent and politicians more accountable. Ask questions and find out what the candidates personally stand for in order to be prepared for election day on February 25^th.

For the most recent Irish elections to the European Parliament, candidatewatch.ie was visited by 150,000 users. All questions and answers are still online - in the 'archive' section and are what we call, the voters' virtual memory.

How do I get started? Go to the overview of all candidates or directly chose your constituency from the map below.

You ask, they answer, you decide!

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answers to citizens' questions during the 2009 EU election

Patricia McKenna, Independent, Dublin

9 questions received, 9 answered

Answer to a question from 22.05.2009

(...) It now seems that it is down to wage competition between different regions of the EU and the departure of Dell to Poland is just one example. So are the numerous individuals from other member states who are being pushed to work for less than the minimum rate in service stations and shops around the country. (...)

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Noel McCullagh, Independent, North-West

3 questions received, 3 answered

Answer to a question from 03.06.2009

(...) My thoughts on the free movement of goods and services means that I would tend toward the second scenario that you outline in your question, i.e. that people should be able to purchase goods and wares (ammunition for hunting or shooting, et cereta) provided that they have in their possession all of the correct documents that are required under the existing act in force. (...)

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Noel McCullagh, Independent, North-West

3 questions received, 3 answered

Answer to a question from 20.05.2009

(...) On the question of committing myself to banning embryo destruction. Is that within my powers as an MEP? (...)

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Joe Higgins, Socialist Party, Dublin

16 questions received, 10 answered

Answer to a question from 04.06.2009

(...) What the Lisbon Treaty does is to institutionalise the Charter of Fundamental Rights. (...) We argued these points endlessly in the campign leading up to the Lisbon Treaty and will do so again. (...)

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John Francis Higgins, Independent, North-West

3 questions received, 3 answered

Answer to a question from 03.06.2009

Mark
I am unfamiliar with these laws in relation to weapons and the interaction
between state and EU law. I would need to study it more. (...)

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Proinsias De Rossa, Labour Party, Dublin

16 questions received, 16 answered

Answer to a question from 04.06.2009

(...) Dear Julie,

Thanks for your question. My position is that no one should receive
benefits they´re not entitled to but that everyone should receive what
they are entitled to. Special measures need to be put in place to ensure
that people, particularly those who are on the margins of society, are
given assistance to claim what they´re entitled to. (...)

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Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin, Dublin

14 questions received, 10 answered

Answer to a question from 31.05.2009

(...) Instead, they reneged on promises to allocate 0.7% GNP in Overseas Development Assistance by 2007. This is the third wealthiest state in the world - their decision to reduce our commitment to just 0.5% by 2007 was unjustifiable, and constitutes a betrayal of the world´s poorest. (...)

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Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin, Dublin

14 questions received, 10 answered

Answer to a question from 04.06.2009

(...) The Lisbon Treaty, like many of the treaties that went before it, does not deliver reform, efficiency or democracy. (...) This is why Sinn Fein campaigned for a "No" vote on the Lisbon Treaty.

The Lisbon Treaty will involve the most substantial transfer of powers from member states to the European Council and Commission to date. (...) The Lisbon Treaty is a charter for the policies of failure. (...)

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Proinsias De Rossa, Labour Party, Dublin

16 questions received, 16 answered

Answer to a question from 19.05.2009

(...) Thank you for your question. Free movement is a fundamental principle of
the EU and one that is has been of enormous benefit to the Irish people
and Ireland. I very much support it. (...)

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Proinsias De Rossa, Labour Party, Dublin

16 questions received, 16 answered

Answer to a question from 29.05.2009

(...) I fully support the calls for an independent inquiry into violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in the conflict. I have no doubt that this issue will be on the EU´s agenda over the coming weeks and I will take up your suggestions in my contributions in these debates. (...)

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