The Greens - A party of government
In June 2007 the Green Party voted to go into government for the first time. It has been an exciting time for the Party. Founded in 1982, the Party spent 25 years in opposition trying to encourage various governments to implement Green policy. We are now in a position to do it ourselves. The transition from a party of opposition to one of government has not been easy. We have had to accept difficult compromises on many issues but over all believe that it has been worth it, for the Party, and most importantly for the country.
In the current economic climate what the people want is strong and clear leadership. They want to know that in the tough times ahead that the pain will be shared, and that the government has a plan for economic recovery. Barak Obama has a Green plan for economic recover in the USA. We have had that same plan for 20 years.
To see a full list of the Green Party's achievements so far, click here.
For a look at some of a highlights in the first year of government, click here (400k pdf)
Green Party successes on energy in Government
During its time in government the Green Party has achieved a lot of success on energy matters since 2007. Initiatives have been taken on areas like insulation with new grant schemes implemented, smart metering to keep track of use of power, and energy production (wind, wave etc.). For more information, click here.
New standards in the rental sector
The vast majority of rental properties do not pose any problem to their owner-occupier neigbhours. But all that it takes is one house on a street to fall into disrepair, to have an overgrown garden or to have a built up of rubbish in front of the house to damage the amenity of the street. For people who are paying a mortgage on their house it is frustrating to have the appearance of the street lowered in such a way. For more information, click here.
Flooding
Parts of Dublin were badly affected by flooding in the summer. Under the guidance of John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, the Party has adopted a three strand approach to this problem:
- At a national and international level the Party is leading ireland’s fight against climate change.
- New planning guidelines have been put for consultation which will prevent any future development on flood plains, thus reducing the risk of flooding downsteam.
- The Department of the Environment is working with local council to put in place flood management plans, and ensuring that existing drains are all unblocked and working properly.
For the full consultation document on this issue, click here (pdf download).
The light bulb ban
In 2007 John Gormley announced a phased in ban on inefficient light bulbs. Although he has been ridiculed at times for this move, the European Commission has recently adopted a similar plan, mainly because of the Irish initiative, and due to Irish pressure. The ban will come into place in September 2009. The precise details of the ban are being debated before the European Parliament and will be finalised in April.