Publication
General Election Manifesto 2016
Online version
Political programme
The manifesto sets out the Workers' Party platform for the 2016 general election. It describes the party as democratic, secular and socialist, and calls for greater public ownership and working-class control of economic life. All statistics, candidate details and commitments belong to the 2016 campaign.
Work, industry and public finance
The jobs programme proposes an active role for publicly owned and semi-state enterprises, opposition to further privatisation, and public control of oil and gas through a state energy company. It also calls for industrial development across regions, stronger manufacturing and sustainable use of natural resources.
On banking and debt, the manifesto supports state control of banks, investment in productive activity and infrastructure, and an audit of public debt. Its tax programme includes progressive taxation, action against avoidance and transfer pricing, a minimum effective rate, a wealth tax on assets above €1 million and equal tax treatment for different forms of income.
Housing and water
Housing is defined as a human right and a core state responsibility. The proposals include large-scale local-authority construction through a state construction company and direct labour, controls on building-land prices, a windfall tax on rezoning gains, stronger action on derelict sites and an end to privatisation of social housing.
For private renters, the manifesto calls for fair rents, secure tenure, enforced standards and an independent deposit-protection system. It proposes replacing rent supplement over time with local-authority housing.
The water section opposes domestic water charges and privatisation. It supports a single publicly owned system funded through progressive taxation, with investment to reduce leaks and protect supply.
Rights, care and public services
The workers' rights programme supports stronger trade unions, collective bargaining, a living wage, equal pay, secure hours and action against bogus self-employment. It opposes reduced wage rates for young workers.
The manifesto proposes a publicly funded childcare system delivered for families rather than profit. In education, it calls for secular, free provision, investment across primary, secondary and third level, and an end to discrimination on religious grounds.
Health proposals include a universal public health service, more primary and community care, reduced waiting lists and public provision of services. The document treats health and social care as rights, rather than commodities.
Equality and constitutional change
The reproductive-rights section calls for repeal of the Eighth Amendment and legislation for abortion access. The manifesto also addresses violence against women, proposing properly funded refuges and support services, prevention work and stronger institutional responses.
Its policing proposals emphasise public accountability and community confidence. On Northern Ireland, it supports integrated public services, secular education, workers' unity and political arrangements based on consent and equality.
International policy and environment
The manifesto opposes military alliances and the use of Irish facilities for foreign wars. It supports neutrality, solidarity with working people internationally and public control of strategic resources.
Environmental proposals connect public transport, energy security and climate targets. The document calls for investment in renewable energy, reduced dependence on carbon fuels and industrial planning compatible with long-term environmental sustainability.
The final pages identify the party's 2016 election candidates and campaign contact details.
Download the publication
The PDF is 24 pages and 2.02 MB.