European Elections: An interview with People Before Profit's Adrienne Wallace

Should Ireland leave the EU?

People Before Profit (PBP) are critical of the EU, particularly around its enforced models of privatisation and its treatment of refugees. Operation Sophia was criticised by international human rights advocates for abdicating its humanitarian responsibilities, after the bloc agreed to withdraw ships patrolling the Mediterranean. It essentially worked to ensure migrants drown. They handed down a death sentence to anyone fleeing war. That this is coming from the EU is worrying. PBP are not going in with rose-tinted glasses, we will approach the EU with a mandate of workers' rights, with an opposition to privatisation, and against any move to end our neutrality. We are internationalists, we want to transcend borders and fight for a politics that is fitting for the 21st century.

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

Income tax should be linked to your earnings. This means equality and fairness all around. PBP has a higher tax rate for those who earn more, for example if you earn €250,000, we want you to pay 65% tax. I can already hear people saying PBP are penalising those who succeed, but the difference with us is that you get back what you pay for in your taxes: free access to education, to health and so on.

Do you support the introduction of a carbon tax?

A carbon tax is regressive and won't work. Numerous studies have shown that even when the price of things like petrol increase, people still pay for it because we HAVE to rely on it. One hundred companies are responsible for 71% of the GHG emissions. They are the ones who should be held accountable.

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

Yes. I live in Carlow where we voted overwhelmingly to Repeal the 8th but we still have no access to it here. The closest place that offers abortion care is in a small town in Kilkenny, and it has been picketed numerous times. Exclusion zones need to happen immediately, we've seen the dangerous levels it has reached in the US.

Should injection centres be allowed?

Yes. The so-called war on drugs has failed, in fact all it did was create the perfect breeding ground for criminal gangs. PBP wants to move towards the model of drug decriminalisation seen in Portugal. Drug use should be seen as a health issue, so that we can actually deal with the problem and ensure people are able to recover and reach their full potential again.

Do you support transgender rights?

Absolutely. The oppression trans people have experienced is as old as capitalism itself, but because they are a small minority, it is often minimised. The lack of access to appropriate healthcare for trans people is shocking. PBP wants to cut the waiting lists for hormone treatments by ensuring GPs can prescribe it. We also want to move towards the informed consent model that the rest of the world follows.

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

Yes. We have over 200,000 vacant homes in Ireland. That's enough to house everyone on the social housing waiting list and provide a safe place for those fleeing persecution and war. We have a housing crisis because this is a class issue. One quarter of all TDs are landlords, they are able to manipulate this crisis to ensure maximum profits. The only minority hurting this country is the rich.

Should Ireland boycott the Eurovision in Tel Aviv?

Of course. Ireland was a long history of supporting the Palestinian fight for liberation, largely because not that long ago, we endured a similar oppression. Israel will use the Eurovision to whitewash their image to the world. If RTƒ want to help Sarah McTernanÕs career, they should play her music.

Should marijuana be legalised?

Yes. I've seen a lot of people become addicted to weed and not even realise it, probably because it's not a Class A drug. Weed needs to be legalised so we can regulate it and ensure safe usage. We also have to stop criminalising people and ruining their lives for having small amounts.

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

Yes, we need more accountability in social media.

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

PBP is a 32 county party, so yes. The important question for us, and what differentiates us from Sinn Féin, is that we ask "united under what?" Do we want an Ireland that is united under austerity and low corporation tax, or do we want an Ireland that is united by workers' rights, by equal access to health and housing?

Who should replace John Delaney as CEO of the FAI?

Should the FAI continue as it is? I'm not too into my sports, but to me it looks like another cosy club for a few suits. The womens' team in Ireland is in need of an increase in funding, and I'm sure an awful lot of smaller clubs around the country are the same. We need a system that ensures equality and doesn't concentrate power in the hands of a few.

Any other one thing you want to say?

I'm one of the youngest candidates to contest the European elections. I'm doing it because politics has failed my generation. I will never own a home and the lack of action on climate change is the biggest negligence in the history of humanity. If we don't stand for change now, I'm really worried about the future.