Editing Fine Gael (section)

==Ideology and policies==
{{Christian democracy sidebar}}
{{Conservatism sidebar}}
As a political party of the [[centre-right politics|centre-right]],<ref name="Devitt2021">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aPAxEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA90 |title=Health Politics in Europe: A Handbook |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2021 |isbn=9780192604248 |editor=Immergut |editor-first=Ellen M. |page=90 |chapter=Ireland |editor2=Devitt |editor-first2=Camilla |editor-last3=Anderson |editor-first3=Karen M. |editor-last4=Popic |editor-first4=Tamara}}</ref><ref name="Dunphy2015"/><ref name="CrottySchmitt1998">{{cite book|author1=William Crotty|author2=David E. Schmitt|title=Ireland and the Politics of Change|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zGrXAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA115|year=1998|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-88118-6|page=115|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222063655/https://books.google.com/books?id=zGrXAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA115|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ReesQuinn2010"/><ref name="Nicholls2015"/> Fine Gael has been described as [[Liberal conservatism|liberal-conservative]],<ref name="HamannKelly2010"/><ref name="PratRosenstein2009"/><ref name="Cottey2018">{{cite book |title=The European Neutrals and NATO: Non-alignment, Partnership, Membership? |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-137-59524-9 |editor=Cottey |editor-first=Andrew |page=166 |chapter=Ireland and NATO: A Distinctly Low-Profile Partnership |access-date=27 May 2020 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=adFBDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801194523/https://books.google.com/books?id=adFBDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166 |archive-date=1 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MaginVigen2021">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Xs9EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA137 |title=Campaigning on Facebook in the 2019 European Parliament Election: Informing, Interacting with, and Mobilising Voters |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2021 |isbn=9783030738518 |editor1=Haßler |editor-first=Jörg |page=137 |chapter=When Nothing Happened, but Much Changed: How Political Parties in Ireland Used Facebook in the 2019 European Parliament Election Campaign |editor2=Magin |editor-first2=Melanie |editor3=Russmann |editor-first3=Uta |editor4=Fenoll |editor-first4=Vicente}}</ref> [[Christian democracy|Christian-democratic]],<ref name="Alexiadou2016">{{cite book |author=Alexiadou |first=Despina |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bXznCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA153 |title=Ideologues, Partisans, and Loyalists: Ministers and Policymaking in Parliamentary Cabinets |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2016 |isbn=9780198755715 |page=153 |chapter=Ireland}}</ref><ref name="Banchoff1999">{{cite book |author=Banchoff |first=T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GgvLEFPY8l4C&pg=PA126 |title=Legitimacy and the European Union |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-415-18188-4 |page=126 |access-date=26 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226015849/https://books.google.com/books?id=GgvLEFPY8l4C&pg=PA126 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Slomp2011">{{cite book |author=Slomp |first=Hans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V1uzkNq8xfIC&pg=PA333 |title=Europe, a Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-313-39181-1 |page=333 |access-date=17 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226015849/https://books.google.com/books?id=V1uzkNq8xfIC&pg=PA333 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Liberalism|liberal]],<ref name="Dunphy2015"/> [[conservative liberal]],<ref name="Deutsche Welle">{{cite web |last=Tabeling |first=Petra |date=20 May 2002 |title=Wahl auf der grünen Insel |trans-title=Election on the green island |url=https://www.dw.com/de/wahl-auf-der-gr%C3%BCnen-insel/a-521140 |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=de}}</ref> [[Conservatism|conservative]],<ref name="Gallagher1985">{{cite book |author=Gallagher |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FDa8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA140 |title=Political Parties in the Republic of Ireland |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=1985 |isbn=978-0-7190-1797-1 |page=140 |access-date=27 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721053806/https://books.google.com/books?id=FDa8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA140 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bell2005">{{cite book |author=Bell |first=Desmond |title=Broadcasting and Politics in Western Europe |date=28 June 2005 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-77954-2 |editor=Kuhn |editor-first=Raymond |page=32 |chapter=Proclaiming the Republic: Broadcasting Policy and the Corporate State in Ireland |access-date=6 May 2020 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=alKRAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA32 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801142748/https://books.google.com/books?id=alKRAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA32 |archive-date=1 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Pro-Europeanism|pro-European]],<ref name="Reidy2010">{{cite book |author=Reidy |first=Theresa |title=The Europeanization of Party Politics in Ireland, North and South |publisher=Routledge |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-317-96560-2 |editor1=Hayward |editor-first=Katy |page=107 |chapter=Blissful Union? Fine Gael and the European Union |editor2=Murphy |editor-first2=Mary C. |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zbThAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA107}}</ref> with an ideological base combining elements of [[cultural conservatism]] and [[economic liberalism]].<ref name="HutterMalet2019">{{cite book |last1=Hutter |first1=Swen |title=European Party Politics in Times of Crisis |last2=Malet |first2=Giorgio |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2019 |isbn=978-1-108-48379-7 |editor1=Hutter |editor-first=Swen |page=323 |chapter=Ireland: Limited Restructuration in the Post Child of Austerity |access-date=6 May 2020 |editor2=Kriesi |editor-first2=Hanspeter |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MDGdDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA323 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713220706/https://books.google.com/books?id=MDGdDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA323 |archive-date=13 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Although Ireland's political spectrum was traditionally divided along [[Irish Civil War|Civil War]] lines, rather than the traditional European [[left–right politics|left–right spectrum]], Fine Gael is described generally as a [[Centre-right politics|centre-right]] party, with a focus on "fiscal rectitude".<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Hugh |date=17 February 2016 |title=The TrailFix: What on earth has gone wrong with Fine Gael? |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/election-trailfix-2609354-Feb2016/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202181620/https://www.thejournal.ie/election-trailfix-2609354-Feb2016/ |archive-date=2 February 2020 |access-date=2 February 2020 |work=The Journal}}</ref> As the descendant of the pro-Treaty factions in the Irish Civil War, Fine Gael cites [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]] as an inspiration and claims his legacy. He remains a symbol for the party, and the anniversary of his death is commemorated each year in August.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 September 2005 |title=Michael Collins' view of life in Achill Gaeltacht |url=http://www.hoganstand.com/general/Identity/extras/heritage/stories/mcollins.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720130423/http://www.hoganstand.com/general/identity/extras/heritage/stories/mcollins.htm |archive-date=20 July 2008 |access-date=31 October 2007 |publisher=The Hogan Stand}}</ref><ref name="Collins History Ireland"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kieran |first=Allen |date=16 December 2019 |title=Michael Collins: patriot hero or counterrevolutionary? |url=http://www.irishmarxistreview.net/index.php/imr/article/viewFile/346/336 |url-status=live |journal=Irish Marxist Review |publisher=Socialist Workers Network |volume=8 |issue=25 |pages=41–45 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203203841/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3ADqQI9K3dRXgJ%3Awww.irishmarxistreview.net%2Findex.php%2Fimr%2Farticle%2FviewFile%2F346%2F336+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ie&client=firefox-b-d |archive-date=3 February 2021 |access-date=16 October 2024}}</ref>

Although Fine Gael was historically a Catholic party, it became the de facto home for Irish Protestants. Its membership base had a higher proportion of Protestants than that of Fianna Fáil or Labour.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bowen |first=Kurt Derek |url= |title=Protestants in a Catholic State |publisher=McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-7735-0412-7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Domenico |first1=Roy Palmer |url= |title=Encyclopedia of Modern Christian Politics |last2=Hanley |first2=Mark Y. |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-313-32362-1 |language=en}}</ref> The party promoted a strong Catholic image and depicted itself as a defender of Catholicism against [[Communism|Atheistic Communism]], of which it accused the two aforementioned parties of being sympathetic to.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Patterson |first=Henry |url= |title=Ireland Since 1939 |date=2007-08-02 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-0-14-192688-9 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Michael Collins in military uniform.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Through their Cumann na nGaedhael and Pro-Treaty lineage, Fine Gael claim the legacy of [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]], whom they use as a symbol to bolster their law and order image]]

===Social policies===
Fine Gael adopted the "Just Society" policy statement in the 1960s, based on principles of social justice and equality. It was created by the emerging social democratic wing of the party, led by [[Declan Costello]]. The ideas expressed in the policy statement had a significant influence on the party in the years to come.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/narrative-notes/just-society/|title=Just Society|work=AskAboutIreland.ie|access-date=9 August 2019|archive-date=9 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809105626/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/narrative-notes/just-society/|url-status=live}}</ref>

While Fine Gael was traditionally [[Social conservatism|socially conservative]] for most of the twentieth century due to the conservative Christian ethos of Irish society during this time, its members are variously influenced by [[social liberalism]], [[social democracy]] and [[Christian democracy]] on issues of social policy. Under Garret FitzGerald, the party's more socially liberal, or pluralist, wing gained prominence. Proposals to allow [[divorce]] were put to referendum by two Fine Gael–led governments, in 1986 under FitzGerald,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://electionsireland.org/results/referendum/refdetail.cfm?ref=1986R |title=Referendum 26 June 1986 Dissolution of Marriage |work=ElectionsIreland.org |access-date=25 February 2011 |archive-date=23 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223141731/http://electionsireland.org//results/referendum/refdetail.cfm?ref=1986R |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 1995 under John Bruton, passing very narrowly on this second attempt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://electionsireland.org/results/referendum/refresult.cfm?ref=1995R |title=Referendum 24 November 1995 Dissolution of Marriage |work=ElectionsIreland.org |date=24 November 1995 |access-date=4 June 2010 |archive-date=21 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221171539/http://electionsireland.org/results/referendum/refresult.cfm?ref=1995R |url-status=live }}</ref> Its modern supporters have shown a preference for [[Postmaterialism|postmaterialist]] values.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sinnott|first=Richard|url=|title=Irish Voters Decide: Voting Behaviour in Elections and Referendums Since 1918|date=1995|publisher=Manchester University Press|isbn=978-0-7190-4037-5|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Moreno|first=Alejandro|url=|title=Political Cleavages: Issues, Parties, And The Consolidation Of Democracy|date=2019-06-04|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-000-30717-7|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Whelan|first=Christopher T.|url=|title=Values and Social Change in Ireland|date=1994|publisher=Gill & Macmillan|isbn=978-0-7171-1947-9|language=en}}</ref>

====LGBT+ issues====
[[File:Members of Fine Gael at Dublin Pride parade 2016.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Members of Fine Gael participating in the 2016 [[Dublin Pride]] parade]]
Fine Gael supported [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Ireland|civil unions]] for same-sex couples from 2003, voting for the [[Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010|Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2010]]. In 2012, the party approved a motion at its [[Ardfheis]] to prioritise the consideration of [[same-sex marriage]] in the upcoming constitutional convention. In 2013, party leader and Taoiseach Enda Kenny declared his support for same-sex marriage. The Fine Gael–led government held a referendum on the subject on 22 May 2015. The referendum passed, with the electorate voting to extend full marriage rights to same-sex couples, with 62.1% in favour and 37.9% opposed.

In 2015, months before the [[Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|marriage equality referendum]], Leo Varadkar became the first Irish government minister to come out as gay.<ref name="The Irish Times">{{cite web|work=Fine Gael|title=Leo Varadkar|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/leo-varadkar-i-am-a-gay-man-minister-says-1.2070189/|access-date=24 February 2019|archive-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301135752/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/leo-varadkar-i-am-a-gay-man-minister-says-1.2070189|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2019, former [[Rose of Tralee (festival)|Rose of Tralee]] [[Maria Walsh (politician)|Maria Walsh]], was elected as a Fine Gael MEP for the Midlands-Northwest constituency in the [[2019 European Parliament election]], running alongside [[Mairéad McGuinness]] MEP. Walsh was Fine Gael's first openly lesbian candidate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://evoke.ie/2018/05/17/life-style/maria-walsh-on-being-the-gay-rose|title=Maria Walsh on being the 'gay' Rose: 'Some people can never know that part of me'|last=Zaw|first=Yolanda|date=17 May 2018|website=evoke.ie|access-date=2 February 2020|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202182120/https://evoke.ie/2018/05/17/life-style/maria-walsh-on-being-the-gay-rose|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11093064/Lesbian-Rose-of-Tralee-row-Meet-the-first-lesbian-winner-of-Irelands-beauty-pageant.html|title=Meet Ireland's first lesbian winner of the Rose of Tralee 'beauty pageant'|last=Capon|first=Felicity|date=2014-09-15|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=2020-02-02|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202182106/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11093064/Lesbian-Rose-of-Tralee-row-Meet-the-first-lesbian-winner-of-Irelands-beauty-pageant.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fine Gael has an LGBT+ section, Fine Gael LGBT, and in 2017, Leo Varadkar became the first Taoiseach to march in [[Dublin Pride]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheahan |first=Fionnán |date=26 June 2017 |title=It's not enough to be the example, Leo, you have to lead by example too |url=https://www.independent.ie/opinion/its-not-enough-to-be-the-example-leo-you-have-to-lead-by-example-too/35864613.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927120959/https://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/fionnan-sheahan/its-not-enough-to-be-the-example-leo-you-have-to-lead-by-example-too-35864613.html |archive-date=27 September 2019 |access-date=27 September 2019 |work=Irish Independent}}</ref>

==== Abortion ====
In 1983, the [[Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Eighth Amendment to the Constitution]], which proposed to protect the life of the unborn, was put to a referendum. Fine Gael initially supported the proposal, but then came out in opposition to it. Under leader and [[Taoiseach]] [[Garret FitzGerald]], the party campaigned for a 'No' vote, arguing, on the advice of the [[Attorney General of Ireland|Attorney General]] [[Peter Sutherland]], that the wording, which had been drafted under the previous government, was ambiguous and open to many interpretations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Muldowney |first=Mary |year=2013 |title=Breaking the silence on abortion : the 1983 referendum campaign |journal=History Ireland |publisher=Wordwell |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=42–45 |issn=0791-8224 |jstor=41827160}}</ref> Its stance conflicted with that of the [[Pro-Life Amendment Campaign (PLAC)|Pro-Life Amendment Campaign]] (PLAC) and Catholic bishops, and [[Fianna Fáil]], the largest party in the State at the time, but then in opposition. The amendment resulted in the addition of Article 40.3.3° to the Constitution, giving the unborn child a qualified<ref>Through the words "as far as practicable". ''Attorney General v X'', [1992] IESC 1; [1992] 1 IR 1. Also reflected in ''A, B, C v Ireland''.</ref> equal right to life to that of the mother.<ref>{{Cite ISB|title=[[Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Act 1983]]|year=1983|number=8|type=ca|signedby=President [[Patrick Hillery]]|date=7 October 1983|access-date=16 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927081342/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1983/ca/8/enacted/en/html|archive-date=27 September 2015}}</ref>

In 1992, in the [[X Case]], the [[Supreme Court of Ireland|Supreme Court]] held that a risk to the life of  woman from suicide was a permissible ground under Article 40.3.3° for abortion. In 2002, Fine Gael campaigned against the [[Twenty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2001|Twenty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution]], which proposed to remove [[suicide]] as a grounds for granting a termination of a pregnancy. The amendment was rejected by Irish voters.<ref>{{cite web|title = 2002 referendum|url = http://electionsireland.org/results/referendum/refdetail.cfm?ref=200225R/|website = Elections Ireland.org|access-date = 14 December 2015|archive-date = 22 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222074718/http://electionsireland.org/results/referendum/refdetail.cfm?ref=200225R%2F|url-status = live}}</ref>

In 2013 it proposed, and supported, the enactment of the [[Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013]], which implemented in statute law the ''X case'' ruling of the Supreme Court, granting access to a termination of a pregnancy where there is a real and substantial risk to the life, not the health, of the mother, including a threat of suicide. Five TDs and two Senators, including Minister of State [[Lucinda Creighton]], lost the Fine Gael party whip for voting against the legislation. Creighton later left Fine Gael to found [[Renua]].<ref>{{cite news |last=McGreevy |first=Ronan |date=1 February 2018 |title=Creighton attacks media over 'progressive consensus' on abortion |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/creighton-attacks-media-over-progressive-consensus-on-abortion-1.3376514 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301201500/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/creighton-attacks-media-over-progressive-consensus-on-abortion-1.3376514 |archive-date=1 March 2019 |access-date=1 March 2019 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite ISB|title=[[Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013]]|year=2013|number=35|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=16 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082506/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/act/35/enacted/en/html}}</ref> The Act was criticised by various [[anti-abortion]] groups<ref>{{cite news|title = Irish abortion bill becomes law|work = BBC News|date = 30 July 2013|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-23507923/|access-date = 14 December 2015|archive-date = 5 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151105192138/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-23507923|url-status = live}}</ref> and Catholic bishops, but supported by a majority of the electorate in opinion polls, with many indicating they wished to see a more liberal law on abortion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheehy |first=Clodagh |date=9 August 2013 |title=Abortion law doesn't go far enough – poll |url=http://www.herald.ie/news/abortion-law-doesnt-go-far-enough-poll-29486734.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222101156/http://www.herald.ie/news/abortion-law-doesnt-go-far-enough-poll-29486734.html |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=14 December 2015 |work=Herald.ie}}</ref>

Enda Kenny's [[Government of the 32nd Dáil|Fine Gael–led minority government]] took office after the 2016 election with a programme which promised a randomly selected [[Citizens' Assembly (Ireland)|Citizens' Assembly]] to report on possible changes to the Eighth Amendment, which would be considered by an Oireachtas committee, to whose report the government would respond officially in debates in both houses of the Oireachtas. Fine Gael Oireachtas members were promised a free vote on the issue. [[Leo Varadkar]] succeeded Enda Kenny as Taoiseach on 14 June 2017 and promised to hold a referendum on abortion in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/world/irelands-new-leader-announces-abortion-referendum-despite-popes-visit/|title=Ireland's new leader announces abortion referendum despite Pope visit|last=McDonald|first=Karl|date=15 June 2017|work=[[i (British newspaper)|i]]|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708053901/https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/world/irelands-new-leader-announces-abortion-referendum-despite-popes-visit/|url-status=live}}</ref> Several Fine Gael TDs, notably Health Minister [[Simon Harris]] and [[Kate O'Connell]], were prominent supporters of the pro-choice side before and during the referendum. While the party was divided, the majority of Fine Gael TDs and Senators, as well as most members, were in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment. A [[Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment]] was held on 25 May 2018 and was approved by 66.4% of voters.

==== Drug policies ====
The party has traditionally held a strong stance against the decriminalisation of drugs. In 2007, Fine Gael's leader at the time Enda Kenny called for drug and alcohol testing to be performed in schools, saying cocaine usage at schools was "rampant" in some areas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Olivia |date=5 February 2007 |title=FG leader plans drugs and alcohol testing in schools |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/fg-leader-plans-drugs-and-alcohol-testing-in-schools-1.1193526 |access-date=16 October 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>

At the party's 2014 Ard Fheis, a proposed motion to support the legalisation of cannabis was voted down by the membership.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Hugh |date=1 March 2014 |title=Fine Gael says 'yes' to same-sex marriage but 'no' to legalising cannabis |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/alan-shatter-fine-gael-cannabis-same-sex-marriage-1339638-Mar2014/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205224107/https://www.thejournal.ie/alan-shatter-fine-gael-cannabis-same-sex-marriage-1339638-Mar2014/ |archive-date=5 December 2020 |access-date=24 December 2020 |work=The Journal}}</ref>

In 2016, the Fine Gael health minister [[James Reilly (Irish politician)|James Reilly]] said that they would not be changing their policy on the legalisation of cannabis, due to "serious concerns about the health impacts" of cannabis.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Órla |date=13 February 2016 |title=Where do Ireland's political parties stand on decriminalising cannabis? |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/decriminalisation-of-cannabis-ireland-2595145-Feb2016/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127210545/https://www.thejournal.ie/decriminalisation-of-cannabis-ireland-2595145-Feb2016/ |archive-date=27 January 2021 |access-date=24 December 2020 |work=The Journal}}</ref>

===Economic policies===
Fine Gael has, since its inception, portrayed itself as a party of fiscal rectitude and minimal government interference in economics, advocating pro-enterprise policies. In that they followed the line of the previous pro-Treaty government that believed in minimal state intervention, low taxes and social expenditures.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gallagher |first=Michael |url=https://archive.org/details/politicalparties0000gall/page/43 |title=Political Parties in the Republic of Ireland |publisher=[[Manchester University Press]] |year=1985 |isbn=9780719017971 |page=[https://archive.org/details/politicalparties0000gall/page/43 43]}}</ref> Newly elected politicians for the party in the Dáil have strongly advocated [[economic liberal|liberal economic]] policies. [[Lucinda Creighton]] (who has since left the party) and [[Leo Varadkar]] in particular have been seen as strong advocates of a [[neoliberalism|neoliberal]] approach to Ireland's economic woes and unemployment problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lucindacreighton.ie/?cat=9 |title=Lucinda CREIGHTON TD – Economy Vision |publisher=Lucindacreighton.ie |access-date=4 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728061715/http://www.lucindacreighton.ie/?cat=9 |archive-date=28 July 2010 }}</ref> Varadkar in particular has been a strong proponent of small, indigenous business, advocating in 2008 that smaller firms should have benefitted from the government's recapitalisation program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leovaradkar.ie/?p=256 |title=Leo Varadkar – Small Business Fund must be included in recapitalisation plan |publisher=Leovaradkar.ie |date=16 December 2008 |access-date=4 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629011621/http://www.leovaradkar.ie/?p=256 |archive-date=29 June 2009 }}</ref> Its former finance spokesman Richard Bruton's proposals were seen as approaching problems from a pro-enterprise point of view. Its fairer budget website in 2011 suggested that its solutions are "tough but fair".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairerbudget.com/alternative.html |title=fairerbudget.com |publisher=fairerbudget.com |access-date=22 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919002728/http://www.fairerbudget.com/alternative.html |archive-date=19 September 2009 }}</ref> Other solutions conform generally to conservative governments' policies throughout Europe, focusing on cutting numbers in the public sector, while maintaining investment in infrastructure.

Fine Gael's proposals have sometimes been criticised mostly by smaller political groupings in Ireland, and by some of the [[trade union]]s, who have raised the idea that the party's solutions are more conscious of business interests than the interests of the worker. In 2008 the [[SIPTU]] trade union stated its opposition to then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny's assertion, in response to Ireland's economic crisis, that the national wage agreement ought to have been suspended. Kenny's comments had support however and the party attributed its significant rise in polls in 2008 to this.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1123/finegael.html |title=Union criticises FG on wage agreements position while FG gains 35% in polls |publisher=RTÉ.ie |date=23 November 2008 |access-date=4 June 2010 |archive-date=28 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628234314/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1123/finegael.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Fine Gael's [[Simon Coveney]] launched what the party termed a radical re-organisation of the Irish semi-state company sector. Styled the New Economy and Recovery Authority (or NewERA), Coveney said that it is an economic stimulus plan that will "reshape the Irish economy for the challenges of the 21st century".<ref>{{cite news |date=26 March 2009 |title=Fine Gael launches stimulus plan |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0326/115573-economy/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207234422/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0326/115573-economy/ |archive-date=7 February 2015 |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=RTÉ News}}</ref> Requiring an €18.2 billion investment in Energy, Communications and Water infrastructure over a four-year period, it was promoted as a way to enhance [[energy security]] and the digital reputation of Ireland. A very broad-ranging document, it proposed the combined management of a portfolio of semi-state assets, and the sale of all other, non-essential services. The release of equity through the sale of the various state resources, including electricity generation services belonging to the [[ESB Group|ESB]], [[Bord na Móna]] and [[Bord Gáis]], in combination with use of money in the National Pensions Reserve Fund, was Fine Gael's proposed funding source for its national stimulus package.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 April 2009 |title=FG Launches 11bn Euro Stimulus Plan |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2009/0326/115572-economy2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223021149/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0326/economy2-business.html |archive-date=23 February 2011 |access-date=16 October 2024 |work=RTÉ News}}</ref>

The plan was seen as the longer term contribution to Fine Gael's economic agenda and the basis of its program for government. It was publicised in combination with a more short term policy proposal from [[Leo Varadkar]]. This document, termed ''"Hope for a Lost Generation"'', promised to bring 30,000 young Irish people off the [https://www.cso.ie/en/interactivezone/statisticsexplained/labourmarket/whatistheliveregister/#:~:text=The%20Live%20Register%20is%20used,the%20Department%20of%20Social%20Protection. Live Register] in a year by combining a National Internship Program, a Second Chance Education Scheme, an Apprenticeship Guarantee and Community Work Program, as well as instituting a German style Workshare program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://yfg.ie/downloads/2010JobsLeaflet.pdf |access-date=8 November 2018 |title=Hope for a Lost Generation |year=2009 |via=SlideShare|publisher=[[Young Fine Gael]] }}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Constitutional reform policies===
In 2010 Fine Gael's [[Phil Hogan]] published the party's proposals for political and constitutional reform. In a policy document entitled ''New Politics'', Hogan suggested creating a country with "a smaller, more dynamic and more responsive political system" by reducing the size of the Dáil by 20, changing the way the Dáil works, and by abolishing the Irish senate, [[Seanad Éireann]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 Mar 2010 |title=Kenny address to Fine Gael conference |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/kenny-address-to-fine-gael-conference-1.854963 |access-date=16 October 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>

The question of whether to abolish the Seanad or not was put to [[Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2013|a referendum in 2013]], with voters voting 51% to 49% to retain [[bicameralism]] in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 October 2013 |title=Seanad Results |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/referendum-2013/seanad-results |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006040559/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/referendum-2013/seanad-results |archive-date=6 October 2013 |access-date=5 October 2013 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

===Health policies===
The [[Healthcare in the Republic of Ireland|Irish health system]], being administered centrally by the [[Health Service Executive]], is seen to be poor by comparison to other countries in Europe, ranking outside expected levels at 25th according to the Euro Health Consumer Index 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Euro Health Consumer Index 2006 |url=http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/media/RaportEHCI2006en.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222020833/http://healthpowerhouse.com/media/RaportEHCI2006en.pdf |archive-date=22 February 2011 |access-date=4 June 2010 |website=healthpowerhouse.com}}</ref>

Fine Gael has long wanted Ireland to break with the system of private health insurance, public medical cards and what it calls the two tiers of the health system and has launched a campaign to see the system reformed. Speaking in favour of the campaign, Fine Gael then health spokesman [[James Reilly (Irish politician)|James Reilly]] stated "Over the last 10&nbsp;years the health service has become a shambles. We regularly have over 350 people on trolleys in A&E, waiting lists that go on for months, outpatient waiting lists that go on for years and cancelled operations across the country..."<ref>{{cite news |date=27 April 2009 |title=FG pledges health service reform |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/fg-pledges-health-service-reform-1.839646 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828123408/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/fg-pledges-health-service-reform-1.839646?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Ffg-pledges-health-service-reform-1.839646 |archive-date=28 August 2019 |access-date=16 October 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>

Fine Gael launched its FairCare campaign and website in April 2009, which stated that the health service would be reformed away from a costly ineffective endeavour, into a publicly regulated system where compulsory [[National health insurance|universal health insurance]] would replace the existing provisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faircare.ie |title=Fine Gael launch Fair Care Website and campaign |publisher=Faircare.ie |access-date=4 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416122426/http://www.faircare.ie/ |archive-date=16 April 2010 }}</ref>

This strategy was criticised by Fianna Fáil's then-Minister for Children, [[Barry Andrews (politician)|Barry Andrews]]. The spokesperson for family law and children, [[Alan Shatter|Alan Shatter TD]], robustly defended its proposals as the only means of reducing public expenditure, and providing a service in Ireland more akin to the [[Healthcare in Canada|Canadian]], [[Healthcare in Germany|German]], [[Healthcare in the Netherlands|Dutch]] and [[Healthcare in Austria|Austrian health systems]].

Fine Gael's current healthcare policy revolves around the implementation of [[Sláintecare]], a cross-party plan for the reform of the Irish health system. Sláintecare is focused on introducing "a universal single-tiered health service, which guarantees access based on need, not income… through Universal Health Insurance".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-the-taoiseach/?referrer=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Work_Of_The_Department/Programme_for_Government/Programme_for_Government_2011-2016|title=Department of the Taoiseach|website=www.gov.ie|access-date=23 September 2021|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917022849/https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-the-taoiseach/?referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.taoiseach.gov.ie%2Feng%2FWork_Of_The_Department%2FProgramme_for_Government%2FProgramme_for_Government_2011-2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Pro-Europeanism and defence policies===
Fine Gael is among the most pro-[[European integration]] parties in Ireland, having supported the [[Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe|European Constitution]],<ref name="neutrality">{{cite web |url=http://www.forumoneurope.ie/eng/index.asp?docID=1099 |title=Enda Kenny calls for Unified EU Approach to Immigration |website=National Forum on Europe |date=26 October 2006 |access-date=31 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118211933/http://www.forumoneurope.ie/eng/index.asp?docID=1099 |archive-date=18 November 2007}}</ref> the [[Lisbon Treaty]], and advocating participation in European common defence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forumoneurope.ie/index.asp?locID=210&docID=485 |title=Should we back a pledge to defend others if they come under attack? |website=National Forum on Europe |date=3 April 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119085655/http://www.forumoneurope.ie/index.asp?locID=210&docID=485 |archive-date=19 November 2007 }}. Retrieved on 31 October 2007</ref> The party have been supportive of [[NATO]]. In 1998, party leader John Bruton called on Ireland to join the NATO-led [[Partnership for Peace]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cullen |first=Paul |date=24 January 1998 |title=FG urges Ireland to join group led by NATO |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/fg-urges-ireland-to-join-group-led-by-nato-1.127708 |access-date=2022-06-29 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> The party's youth wing, [[Young Fine Gael]], passed a motion in 2016 calling on the government to apply for membership of NATO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Securing Ireland in an Uncertain World |url=https://www.yfg.ie/app/uploads/2020/10/SECURING-IRELAND-IN-AN-UNCERTAIN-WORLD-FULLY-COMPLETED-DOC.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025142737/https://www.yfg.ie/app/uploads/2020/10/SECURING-IRELAND-IN-AN-UNCERTAIN-WORLD-FULLY-COMPLETED-DOC.pdf |archive-date=2020-10-25 |url-status=live |website=Young Fine Gael}}</ref>

Under Enda Kenny, the party called on the state to end [[Irish neutrality]] and to sign up for a European defence structure,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brennock |first=Mark |date=30 May 2003 |title=FG calls for State to abandon neutrality |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/fg-calls-for-state-to-abandon-neutrality-1.360730 |access-date=2022-06-29 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> with Kenny claiming that "the truth is, Ireland is not neutral. We are merely unaligned."<ref name="neutrality" /> Following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Fine Gael called for an increase in defence spending,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staines |first=Michael |date=3 March 2022 |title=Fine Gael calls for increased military spending 'entirely disingenuous' |url=https://www.newstalk.com/news/fine-gael-calls-for-increased-military-spending-entirely-disingenuous-1318091 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Newstalk |language=en}}</ref> with [[Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] Simon Coveney proposing an increase of €500 million a year<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGreevy |first=Ronan |date=17 May 2022 |title=Simon Coveney: Ireland will not be joining Nato 'any time soon' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/simon-coveney-ireland-will-not-be-joining-nato-any-time-soon-1.4881180 |access-date=2022-06-29 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> and suggesting Ireland needed a "fundamental rethink" of its security approach.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Creamer |first=Nora |date=9 March 2022 |title=Ireland needs to have 'fundamental rethink' over security, says Coveney |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-rethink-security-coveney-5706137-Mar2022/ |access-date=29 June 2022 |work=The Journal}}</ref>

Since [[Brexit]], Fine Gael has taken a strong pro-European stance, stating that Ireland's place is "at the heart of Europe".<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=25 January 2018 |title=Varadkar: 'Ireland's place is at the heart of Europe |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/varadkar-ireland-s-place-is-at-the-heart-of-europe-1.3368701 |work=[[Irish Times]] |location= |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212403/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/varadkar-ireland-s-place-is-at-the-heart-of-europe-1.3368701 |url-status=live }}</ref> In government, the party has launched the "Global Ireland" plan to develop alliances with other small countries across Europe and the world.<ref name="globalireland">{{cite web|url=https://merrionstreet.ie/MerrionStreet/en/ImageLibrary/20180612_Global_Ireland.pdf|title=Global Ireland|work=Merrion Street|access-date=5 June 2018|archive-date=25 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225044823/https://merrionstreet.ie/MerrionStreet/en/ImageLibrary/20180612_Global_Ireland.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>