Green Party members to gather in Dublin for convention

Members of the Green Party will gather in Dublin tomorrow for their convention.

It is expected that approximately 500 people will attend the event which will see a strong focus on the upcoming local and European elections.

The convention will also hear about the party’s record in Government to date, as well as the urgent need to address the climate crisis.

Some senior party figures have described the convention as an election rally as, unlike a conventional party Ard Fheis, tomorrow’s event will not see any motions or voting from members.

Instead, delegates will hear several speeches and take part in discussions on topics such as the upcoming local and European elections as well as the party’s record in Government.

The Green Party will point to initiatives such as retrofitting grants, reductions in public transport fares and reductions in childcare fees as proof that it is having an impact on the Programme for Government.

It is expected that Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman will also signal plans to increase expenditure in the area of childcare, to improve access for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Party leader Eamon Ryan is also expected to tell delegates tomorrow evening that it is important that climate action remains a central part of any future programmes for government, given the urgent need for Ireland and the rest of the world to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

The party is running a record 112 candidates in the upcoming local elections and believes it can get at least one councillor elected in every county.

It also has a candidate running in all three European constituencies.

The leader’s speech will begin tomorrow evening at 6.30pm and will be carried live on RTÉ One television, the RTÉ News channel and RTE social media platforms.