Meaney in Green deputy leader bid

Clare County Councillor Brian Meaney is making an ambitious bid to become the next deputy leader of the Green Party.

Unbowed by his recent disappointing showing in the General Election, Councillor Meaney will be one of the few elected public representatives from the party to enter the race when nominations close this Friday.
Former Energy Minister Eamonn Ryan, who was one of the six outgoing deputies to lose his seat, was recently elected as party leader.
Councillor Meaney has to get the support of 50 paid-up members to ensure he will contest the deputy leader’s election at the Green Party Convention on June 10 in Dublin.
He will be opposed by John Barry, who failed by just three votes to secure a seat in local elections in Northern Ireland, and former Senator Mark Deery from Louth.
If elected, Councillor Meaney hopes to adopt a more practical approach when applying Green Party politics at local, regional and national level.
The Darragh resident insists the environmental arguments advocated by the Greens for years have now been won. He says it is vital to learn from the mistakes made during the Celtic Tiger by ensuring that all development is sustainable, globally, nationally and locally.
“Transport was one of the issues that brought me into the Greens. Transport and planning must be sustainable to benefit the economy and the environment.
“People should not have to pay an exorbitant amount to heat their homes. If Ireland doesn’t look after its environment, it faces the prospect of heavy fines from Europe.
“People understand the need for change and the need to strike a proper balance between the environment and the economy, which can be done and once it is done, this is mutually beneficial.
“The introduction of a carbon tax benefits the environment because it helps change consumer behaviour,” he said.