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THE GREEN PARTY faces a “difficult road ahead” to rebuild trust with voters who deserted the party in February’s general election – but is optimstic about its future, according to its new party Chairperson.
Writing for TheJournal.ie today, incoming Chairperson Roderic O’Gorman says that the party has learned from the impact of the general election result and is rebuilding for the future.
In the piece, O’Gorman says that the Greens can provide an alternative voice in the current Irish political climate:
“A range of political decisions taken by the new Government have highlighted the need for thinking outside of the usual norms of Irish politics”, he says.
“Prior to our entry into Government, the Green Party had a strong record in challenging the consensus on issues such as over-development and the ruinous taxation policies that were at the root of the recession in our country”.
O’Gorman, who lectures in law in a college in Dublin, criticises the government for retreating from its commitment to pass climate change legislation.
The new Chair says that the party will focus on three main areas over the next year – the constitutional convention aimed at reform of the political system, campaigning for full marriage equality, and arguing for social rights to be included in the Constitution.
He points out that the party is being reorganised on an “almost entirely voluntary basis due to our loss of funding”.
O’Gorman ran in the recent Dublin West by-election and almost tripled the number of first preference votes the party received in the same constituency in February’s general election.
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Should be a requirement that one parent is working
Talk about throwing equality out the window. Like all things that’s for the betterment of womankind, it’s too slow, it’s too few and it comes with too many restrictions. Time for the women of Ireland to speak up on this matter. God forbid a woman can build a career first then only have 1 shot at IVF. FFG making more hurdles for the next government.
@Peter: women are having a families far too late in life. Thats a biological fact. There needs to be a societal shift into having families earlier in life. This is a step in the right direction and should help a lot of people who are struggling and should be commended. More to do yes
@Peter: so why don’t you run for election and change the system?
Why don’t you start a lobby group and advocate for change?
It’s a lot easier to just moan about “FFG” and do nothing, ain’t that right Pete?!?!
The scheme is a joke for sound bites only and when you look at the conditions it restricts too many women to make any benifit. Families having less kids and at an older age is a direct result of policies promoting such.
Security of a home, well we will punish and reduce your lending amount. Maturnity leave over, Time to return to work, well your baby is too young for creche and when of age we will charge a fortune. Shortage of schools in your area amongst new housing, well that land was given away free. Your child is on Austism spectrum. Well wait 2 years to be accessed and receive no help.
@Barney: kind of makes you wonder why people have children at all!
Definitely should be free. But I feel the age cut off should be 35.
The scheme is a joke! Basing it on having a BMI is ridiculous! If the government want to help people doing IVF they should regulate the IVF clinics so they stop falsifying their “success rates” to make more money from vulnerable people trying to realise their dreams!!
Perhaps we also need to change the societal narrative that there is something wrong with being childless? (Or even single, for that matter.) Everybody’s contribution to society is important, and life can be just as fulfilling for those who don’t follow the well-trodden path.
If you want children, pay for them yourself, or even do a good thing and adopt?
Don’t expect others to finance your choices!
@Alison Hughes: Assume you are against child support?
have your say