Election 2011 & Europe
How Irish political party manifestos have engaged
with Europe
European Movement Ireland
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2011
Party Manifestos Report
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4
Key findings ............................................................................................................ 5
Fine Gael (30)......................................................................................................... 6
Fianna Fáil (8) ......................................................................................................... 8
Green Party (7)....................................................................................................... 9
Sinn Féin (6) .......................................................................................................... 10
United Left Alliance (6) ........................................................................................ 11
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Party Manifestos Report
Introduction
With Election 2011 coming to a head this week, we at European Movement Ireland thought it
might be useful to take the main political parties’ manifestos, pick them apart and see what each
of them has to say about Ireland’s role in the EU. We have done this work with a view to
improving the quality of the section that deals with the EU in any future Programme for
Government that may be negotiated after the election. We have witnessed Programmes for
Government where the extent of the dealings with Europe amounts to a bullet pointed
paragraph, or at most a page with most points taking a defensive and reactionary position. Not
only does this approach unfairly reflect our day-to-day dealings with our EU partners, but it also
does not enable our country to avail of and contribute to the opportunities that being in the EU
has to offer.
For this review, the manifestos of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, the Greens, Sinn Fein and the
United Left Alliance were all reviewed in the interest of representing the full range of attitudes
and policy intentions towards the EU. Each manifesto/document was initially searched for
references to the EU which were counted. It was then decided whether EU-related references
could be considered action points or not, i.e. something that a party committed to act upon if
elected into government. Finally, the action points were categorised into different issues and
policy areas.
With this manifesto review complete, European Movement Ireland is calling on all political
parties to reflect the true extent of Ireland’s relationship with the EU in any new Programme for
Government that they may be involved in formulating, by having a more thorough, thoughtful
and proactive chapter on Ireland’s role in Europe.
If you would like further detail on all the party manifestos and how they deal with Europe, please
read on. Do note that the number beside each party's name is the number of EU-related action
points found in their manifesto.
For more detailed information, we have made our manifesto research available on our website you can download this report and our research grid work at www.europeanmovement.ie, under
the ‘Publications’ tab. And if you have any questions on this report, or any of the work that
European Movement Ireland does, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our offices in
Dublin.
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Party Manifestos Report
Key findings
Fine Gael and Labour leave the others for dust when it comes to ‘thinking European’. In terms
of even mentioning the EU as part of their proposed governmental activities, Fine Gael has thirty
EU-related action points, Labour has twenty-eight, while each of the other parties and groupings
have less than ten – Fianna Fail (8), Green Party (7), Sinn Fein (6) and the United Left Alliance (6).
The EU/IMF deal gets the most amount of attention in relation to dealing with the EU. The
EU/IMF deal has a total of sixteen mentions in the parties’ manifestos. Interesting to note that
the Green Party is the only party that does not mention the deal anywhere in its manifesto,
rather their EU-related action points relate to a range of specific and broad ranging issues from
Burma to EU-wide free transportation for OAPs.
When we think of Europe, we’re stuck on the same record. And it all highly defensive.
Agriculture is mentioned as often as the financial deal when it comes to Irish parties talking about
the EU, though only one talked about telecommunciations (Greens). From all parties, most of the
EU related policy is of a defensive nature – of note is our well-established stance on protecting
our corporate tax rate. Labour leads on proactively and strategically looking to Europe for
recovery with mentions of the EU Competitive Strategy and a number of new proactive initiatives
rather than the same entrenched defensive positions.
European targets are an afterthought. Given that Ireland has already signed up to its
responsibility of achieving EU targets, notably in Europe 2020, EU target setting is clearly an
afterthought for our political parties. The environment is the only area to buck this trend with
Labour incorporating the Europe 2020 environmental targets into their manifesto, followed
closely by Fine Gael though it is is quite surprising that the Greens don’t reference the EU in their
manifesto for this area at all, despite the strong lead the EU has taken in tackling environmental
issues.
Fine Gael only party to prioritise repairing our relationship with our EU partners. This is an
important area, which will require much work and based on party manifestos only Fine Gael
seems to be aware of it. In terms of political reform that relates to the EU, Labour gives this area
the most attention with four action points, and Fine Gael and the Greens have two mentions
each.
If you would like further detail on all the party manifestos and how they deal with Europe, please
read on.
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Party Manifestos Report
Fine Gael (30)
Let’s get Ireland working
Fine Gael’s election manifesto Let’s Get Ireland Working is the most comprehensive in terms of its
EU-related intentions with 30 EU-related action points throughout its manifesto. Fine Gael chose
to focus much of its attention on the economic situation in relation to the EU. As a party they
clearly state their position in terms of the EU/IMF agreement. Firstly, they intend to renegotiate
the interest rate and secondly, they intend to adhere to the current deficit-cutting deadline of
2014. Fine Gael is the only party to suggest a renegotiation of the terms of the European Stability
Fund in its manifesto.
Unsurprisingly, five of the six manifestos that we analysed made reference to Ireland’s
Corporation Tax rate (the only party that does not mention it is Sinn Fein). Fine Gael maintains
that it will be unwilling to raise the current 12.5% rate.
It is hardly surprising that four of the six parties make reference to the Common Agriculture
Policy (CAP), while the same four parties also mention the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). In
terms of CAP, Fine Gael commits itself to getting “a good deal” (p.9 of the manifesto) for Ireland
in upcoming CAP negotiations, with particular reference to finding a Single Farm Payment system
that is of optimal benefit to Ireland. Fine Gael also makes a vague reference to working with its
European People’s Party Partners (EPP) to ensure that future trade deals do not pose a threat to
the agricultural sector. In relation to the CFP, Fine Gael commits itself to negotiating the “best
possible deal” (p.12) for Irish fisherman in the upcoming CFP review.
Three of the six parties make reference to ‘Neutrality, Security & International Affairs’, with Fine
Gael having the most to say on this matter. Both Fine Gael and Labour pledge to enhance the EU
position within the UN Security Council. Both parties also make reference to Ireland’s Triple Lock
mechanism. While Labour reaffirms its support for the mechanism, Fine Gael hopes to modify it
so that Ireland can participate in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions at short notice.
Fine Gael and Labour were the only two parties to mention their intentions in terms of EU
Climate Change targets and EU environmental directives. (We were surprised that the Greens had
nothing to say on this.) Fine Gael promises to introduce climate change legislation that sets
EU2020 targets into Irish law, but only on the basis of all party agreement.
Fine Gael was the only party to clearly state its intention “to repair our relationship with our
European partners and institutions” (p. 44), and they intend to do this through Enda Kenny’s
position as Vice-President within the EPP: the “strongest political grouping” in the EU (p. 44).
In terms of political reform at a national level, only three of the six parties stated some of their
intentions here. Fine Gael pledges to set up a European Legislation Committee to scrutinise EU
law, particularly legislation relating to agriculture. Further to this, Fine Gael hopes to conduct an
independent audit on the Irish implementation of EU law.
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Party Manifestos Report
The Labour Party (28)
One Ireland
Much like Fine Gael, Labour’s election manifesto shows comprehensive engagement with EUrelated issues. In total, Labour has 28 EU-related action points. Labour does engage with the
EU/IMF deal and the manifesto clearly states that they would attempt to renegotiate the terms of
the interest rate on the loan, and that international bondholders should share some of the debt
burden. They also believe that the deficit-cutting deadline of 2014 should be pushed out to 2016
in order to prioritise job creation.
‘Tax & Jobs’ is a prime concern of the Labour Party. In fact, the Labour Party is the only party to
suggest the creation of an Innovation Strategy Agency that is based on Europe 2020 targets.
Labour also highlights its support for a European Competitiveness Strategy. Like some of the
other parties Labour also commits itself to maintain Ireland’s 12.5% Corporation Tax rate.
Labour is one of the four parties mentioned above that states its intentions regarding CAP and
CFP. In contrast to Fine Gael, Labour specifically pledge to “work to retain our €1.3 billion CAP
funding envelope” (p.35). In terms of CFP, Labour hope to conduct a Sea Fisheries Sustainability
Impact Assessment before EU fisheries negotiations begin later this year.
As mentioned previously, Labour is one of the three parties to refer to ‘Neutrality, Security &
International Affairs’. In addition to references to Ireland’s Triple Lock mechanism and the EU’s
position within the UN Security Council, Labour also supports the positioning of Ireland as an
international hub for humanitarian aid, a facility that would ideally be located at Shannon.
As discussed above, Fine Gael and Labour are the only two parties to mention their intentions in
terms of EU Climate Change targets and EU environmental directives. In fact, Labour dedicates
much attention to this issue. Like Fine Gael, Labour states its intention to introduce Climate
Change legislation at a national level, however, Labour then goes a few steps further and makes a
number of other commitments in terms of EU environment legislation.
In terms of political reform Labour states its intentions regarding reform at both an EU-level and
a national level. At the EU-level, Labour intends to enhance scrutiny, transparency and
accountability in the European Commission and the European Parliament. At the national level, it
intends to place spending limits on political parties in relation to European elections.
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Party Manifestos Report
Fianna Fáil (8)
Real Plan Better Future
In comparison to Fine Gael and Labour, Fianna Fáil’s manifesto shows a poor engagement with
EU matters, with a total of eight EU-related action points mentioned throughout its manifesto.
Although they have dedicated a whole section to the EU/IMF Programme, discussion of the EU in
other policy areas is lacking. Fianna Fáil maintains that it will “meet this country’s obligations on
the EU/IMF deal”, while adhering to the 2014 deadline to reduce the deficit to 3% of GDP. Fianna
Fáil also mentions that they have been working towards a reduction in the current rate of interest
on offer from the EU-bailout funds.
In a similar vein to Fine Gael and Labour, Fianna Fáil commits to retaining the current 12.5%
Corporation Tax rate. On the subject of ‘Tax & Jobs’, Fianna Fáil is the only party to mention a
commitment to continue to match funding which would allow access to the EU Globalisation
Fund.
Fianna Fáil also refers to supporting a “well resourced” CAP post-2013, and to protecting the Irish
seafood sector in the upcoming CFP review. Fianna Fáil does go a step further than other parties
by committing itself to seeking an increase in fish quotas for Irish vessels. The manifesto also
refers to continuing to fund the Rural Development Plan which is a programme that is co-funded
by the EU.
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Party Manifestos Report
Green Party (7)
Renewing Ireland
Uniquely, despite being a partner in government for the past four years, the Green Party
manifesto does not mention the EU-IMF deal or have any detail on the current financial crisis in
Ireland. Neither do they mention any EU wide proposals on environment or on potential job
creation. The omission of intentions towards the environment is surprising given the EU-wide
commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.
On ‘Tax & Jobs’, like the three previous parties, the Greens offer a commitment to retain the
current 12.5% Corporation Tax rate.
In relation to agriculture, there is no mention of CAP, but the Green party does say that Ireland
should take a tough line with regard to the EU and Genetically Modified contamination.
In terms of ‘Neutrality, Security & International Affairs’, the Green Party reaffirms its
commitment work with the EU to keep up pressure for change in Burma.
Despite a lack of engagement with some of the larger issues, the Green Party does refer to
political reform at both an EU and national level. At the national level, the Green Party suggests
abolishing European Parliament constituencies and having one national level constituency. At the
EU Level, the Green Party is the only party to criticise the ‘twin city’ hopping between Strasbourg
and Brussels, and does so on economic and environmental grounds.
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Party Manifestos Report
Sinn Féin (6)
There is a Better Way
Sinn Féin makes little attempt to outline how they would engage with the EU in a constructive
way. Discussion of the EU is limited to concerns regarding the ceding of Irish sovereignty and the
EU/IMF bail-out.
In relation to the EU/IMF bailout Sinn Féin claims that the agreement will be “disastrous for the
economy and society in general”. They also commit themselves to “no further drawing down of
the EU/IMF Loan” if they were to get in government. Like Labour, Sinn Féin intends to push the
deficit reduction deadline out to 2016 to prioritise job creation and infrastructure development.
Surprisingly, there is no mention of the corporation tax rate.
Without specific reference to the EU or CAP, Sinn Féin does commit itself to capping Single Farm
payments at €100,000, while ensuring that lowest farm incomes benefit the most. They also
intend to abolish Single Farm Payments for large businesses that are not directly involved in
farming. Sinn Féin also advocates a “radical reform” of the CFP. Again without reference to the
EU specifically, Sinn Féin supports “full country of origin” labelling for all food and agricultural
products.
In addition to the above, the EU is also referred to in relation to ensuring that Irish citizens have
the same family reunification rights equal to those of other EU citizens resident in Ireland.
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Party Manifestos Report
United Left Alliance (6)
Programme
The United Left Alliance consists of left wing independents as well as groups such as the Worker’s
Party, the Socialist Party, and People before Profit Alliance. For this reason the ULA has put
forward a programme instead of a manifesto.
The programme does contain a section in relation to Europe in which the group briefly states that
“*w+e are opposed to the dictates of the EU and its neo liberal policies of curbing public spending
and promoting austerity. The policy of driving down public spending to meet EU imposed targets
will destroy jobs and lead to misery for workers, the unemployed and the poor. Workers did not
create the debt and should not have to pay for it.”
The People Before Profit Alliance produced a manifesto which they published on the
Fairocracy.com website. They also produced a number of separate documents which dealt with
each issue on their own website. The Socialist Party did not publish a manifesto however, their
website contains a series of articles in which they outline certain policies. The Workers and
Unemployed Action Group (South Tipperary) consists of a group of Councillors and they are
fielding Seamus Healey in the Tipperary South constituency in the 2011 General Election. This
group did not publish a manifesto.
Some of the groups within the ULA have published documents outlining their policies so we have
tried to summarise their positions on the EU below, giving the references to the separate
documents. Given that their voice in relation to the EU is one of opposition, the engagement of
each party as regards EU policy is minimal.
According to People Before Profit Alliance: (PBPA) “… any alternative economic strategy will
require a Europe-wide effort to get Europe-wide change. Links will need to be made with
campaigns, trade unions, environmentalists, global justice and political organisations seeking
similar changes across Europe” (An Alternative Economic Agenda, p.22). In relation to the
EU/IMF deal the People Before Profit Alliance believes that there should be an “end to the bailout
of the banks” (An Alternative Economic Agenda, p.4) and this is also backed up by the Socialist
Party in Councillor Mick Barry’s webpage article entitled “The Socialist Alternative to IMF/EU
Diktats” with the demand to “*e+nd the bank bailouts…”.
On banking reform, neither of these organisations engage very much with the EU as regards
solutions. People Before Profit Alliance do suggest an “EU ban on investment of pensions in
hedge funds and other forms of speculation” (An Alternative Economic Agenda, p.20). The
Socialist Party believes that bondholders should be “given no guarantee of repayment” (The
Socialist Alternative to IMF/EU Diktats –webpage) and PBPA wants to “stop paying off
bondholders” (An Alternative Economic Agenda, p.6) Both parties further propose an increase in
the rate of corporation tax, although they do not suggest a new rate for this tax. (PBPA “An
Alternative Economic Agenda p.11 and “The Socialist Alternative to IMF/EU Diktats by Councillor
Mick Barry, The Socialist Party webpage article).
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Party Manifestos Report
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