Emma Hendrick, People Before Profit

Emma Hendrick of People before Profit is originally from Tallaght but currently lives in Sligo with her partner and two little girls aged six and two. The stay at home mam is a member of United Against Racism and Mothers for Social Justice, a pro-Palestine group.

The last film you enjoyed watching?

‘Small Things Like These’

Why did you enter politics?

I saw the inequality in Ireland and wanted to work to change the system to make sure everyone has enough to lead healthy, happy lives.

Where do you sit on the political spectrum?

Radical Left

What is your main campaigning issue?

I have two main issues that I believe no one is talking about. Women being failed by successive governments. One in four will suffer abuse at the hands of a partner and yet there is no serious strategy to tackle this abuse and no serious investment in services to support women through it.

Also there is a genocide happening in Palestine and nobody running for election is talking about it. We have a duty to elect TDs who will uphold Ireland's national and international law.

What would you do in government to address it?

Cavan is one of nine counties without a refuge. I would ensure these nine counties get a refuge and all counties have adequate bed space for women and children. Invest in sexual assault treatment units, counselling for survivors. More funding for civil legal aid services and for the courts to process cases promptly, prioritising them so they are dealt with faster to ensure victims aren’t forced to wait endlessly. I would support the occupied territories bill and bring forward legislation to stop Shannon being used by US military, along with implementing BDS (boycott’ Divestment and Sanctions) across state agencies.

Put these in order of importance:

1. Housing; 2. Health; 3. Education; 4. Job creation; 5. Defence; 6. Roads; 7. Policing

Can we afford more refugees?

Yes we can afford to look after Irish people and refugees. Ireland is a wealthy country we have a surplus of €6bn and €13bn of Apple money. Yet we have 15,000 Irish people in homeless accommodation and refugees living in tents. There are over 160,000 vacant properties being left to rot in a housing crisis. This is outrageous.

There is only a scarcity of resources due to political will. It suits the narrative of FF and FG to let refugees take the blame for the housing crises and health crises. We need to put the blame were it lies - at the feet of FF and FG, not people fleeing war.

Should Ireland sanction Israel and how?

Absolutely. We should expel the Israel ambassador. Stop selling Israel war bonds. Stop trade with them and implement with implementing BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) across state agencies.

What's the answer to the biodiversity/climate crises?

Remove carbon tax from working people and tax the aviation industry. A just transition for everyone. Free frequent public transport. Proper incentives for famers to reduce emissions.

Do we need state-run childcare facilities?

We need to establish a fully publicly owned and funded National Childcare Service to provide free childcare for all. We need to immediately invest €1.5bn to expand the number of childcare places, provide free preschool meals for all children in the ECCE scheme. Increase wages for childcare workers by €2 an hour. Extend paid Parents' Leave and amalgamate it with Maternity and Paternity Leave to provide 12 months’ paid leave for each parent in the first two years of a child’s life.

One way to help revive towns and villages?

We need investment in towns to ensure sustainability and adequate amenities for those who live there and visitors. We need more public transport, higher taxes on vacant properties and rent controls.