Clear differences exist between Fine Gael and Labour on a range of election issues such as taxation, abortion, education and zero-hour contracts, a survey of political parties shows.

The survey – 22 questions on a range of policy areas – was distributed to all of the parties and election candidates. Their answers are available on the website whichcandidate.ie, and voters can take the same survey to see which party they are most aligned with. The website is run by the department of politics at the University of Limerick in conjunction with The Irish Times and with funding from the Irish Research Council.

If the issues of water charges and local property tax are excluded, the survey finds Fine Gael is closest to Fianna Fáil, while Labour is closest to Sinn Féin.

Statements

However, given the current standings of the parties, and their previous statements on coalition partnerships, neither of these alternatives seems very likely at present.

While Fine Gael and Labour have made it clear they hope to go back into government together there are significant differences between them on 10 of the 22 issues.

The clearest divisions emerge in relation to social and ethical issues such as school admissions and abortion. Fine Gael, for example, believes schools should be allowed to give preference to children based on religion (once there are suitable alternatives in the area), while Labour believes religion should have no place in admissions.

Status quo

On abortion, Fine Gael’s preferred policy is the status quo (where it is permitted only when the mother’s life is at risk from illness or suicide). In contrast, Labour supports extending abortion rights to certain other cases, such as when there is a fatal foetal abnormality. Labour also supports repealing the Eighth Amendment on abortion, while Fine Gael does not take a position on this issue, preferring to refer it to a citizen’s assembly.

The two parties also diverge significantly on economic policy. Labour says high earners should pay more tax while Fine Gael says they should pay less (citing the abolition of the USC as the means to achieving this). Labour wants to legislate on zero-hour and “if and when” employment contracts, while Fine Gael is reluctant to intervene on this issue, saying employers require flexibility.

Both parties agree on areas such as rent control, water charges and property tax. Rory Costello is a lecturer at the department of politics and public administration in the University of Limerick