Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said he was “absolutely confident” his party will be able to secure the support of one in 10 voters in the next general election.
He made the prediction at the Green Party Annual Convention in Athlone.
Speaking to reporters, the Environment Minister said: “The scale of climate change that’s happening… that we’re witnessing… People will be put the question at the next election: ‘Well, are you willing to vote for a safer future for your children, or grandchildren, or nieces, or nephews?’ I think the answer to that from the Irish people will be yes,” reports RTE.
The Green Party leader said now, however, was the time to keep his “heads down” and focus on results while in government.
Minister Ryan said: ‘Keep delivering, then we face that election with our heads up, proud of what we’ve been doing in Government serving our people,” reports RTE.
Ryan added: “I think people recognise that that’s progress, positively working with people, delivering real change in people’s daily quality of life. And I think people will vote for that,” reports RTE.
‘Whole tranche of new housing solutions’ needed
Minister Ryan has not ruled out the possibility of further tax breaks for developers to help tackle the housing crisis, saying they will look at each other’s options.
The minister has said that “everyone” recognizes that there is a “real crisis in our homes” and that “a whole tranche of new housing solutions” is needed to deal with it.
He said: “There’s no shortage of ambition, there’s no shortage of willingness to provide public finances. But we have to go further and faster, and that means not ruling anything out,” reports RTE.
According to RTE, he added: “I wouldn’t rule out further measures. We will do everything to make sure we start getting supply – particularly in difficult times like this, when as I said high interest rates, high costs of construction due to global supply chain issues are making it very hard.”
Media Minister Catherine Martin said she was very concerned that Twitter employees were not treated with “basic dignity and respect”.
She said the government “will be there” when people are laid off.
Mr Ryan said the government had been “very strong” in saying “how unhappy” they have been with Twitter’s approach to the layoffs.
He added: “We’ve been very clear in calling-out what we see as low standards at the moment, in how people are being treated,” reports RTE.
Climate action and child care reform on the agenda
The party’s annual convention takes place in Athlone this weekend, with Mr Ryan giving his leader’s speech tonight.
It is expected to say that tackling climate change through policies, such as home retrofits, will reduce both Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions and Irish household energy bills.
The conference kicked off last night with an address by the party’s national chair, Senator Pauline O’Reilly, and an in-depth discussion on building sustainable communities in our cities.
Today’s delegates will focus on climate action, child care reform and the future of the arts, topics that reflect the ministries held by the Green Party’s three chief ministers: Ryan, Roderic O’Gorman and deputy leader Catherine Martin.
There is also a nod to the local elections that will take place in 2024, with a space called electoral preparation: campaign, planning and propaganda.
Mr. Ryan will deliver his keynote address tonight at 6:30 p.m. in which he is expected to refer to the successes of the Green Party in government and the important challenges that lie ahead.
The conference continues tomorrow with a discussion on the future of the greyhound industry, led by Deputy Neasa Hourigan, and what is being billed as a social media ‘masterclass’ for delegates.
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