Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

A candidate for People Before Profit. View party
ELIMINATED
Dave Smyth
Party
EU alliance
European Anti-Capitalist Left
Constituency
Occupation
Electronic engineer
Age
51
Biography

Smyth has been a political activist for over 30 years, working with local community groups to fundraise. He has also been involved in the campaign to Repeal the 8th Amendment, solidarity with Palestine, and the fightback against water charges. He and his wife have three adult children.

Question time
Why did you decide to run in this election?

I am adamant that we need to end 100 years of FF & FG dominance. To do this, we need a genuinely left-wing government and to make sure that that left government can implement its policies via a programme for government that can be effective. We need socialists in Dáil Éireann.

What do you think is the greatest issue the country faces right now?

Over 40 years of neo-liberal policies have resulted in a housing and homelessness crisis beyond imagination. Forcing public services into private for-profit hands and refusing to build public housing has been a disaster for so many working people and families. With ever-rising homelessness figures and rents out of control, it’s time to see the bigger picture and go back to socialist ideas which are the only routes to a workable and sustainable solution.

What would you like your first speaking time in the Dáil to be about if you get elected?

To highlight the urgent need for Ireland to expel the Israeli ambassador and sever all diplomatic ties with the rogue state of Israel, pass and fully enact the Occupied Territories Bill and properly police overflights and Shannon airport refuelling stops to make sure nobody supporting genocide is permitted to use our airspace or our facilities.

connect with Dave Smyth