The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Green Party Councillor Brian Meaney has called a meeting of the party’s remaining elected representatives to discuss the future of the party.
It looks as if the Green Party is facing into very uncertain times after their six sitting TDs all lost their seats in the General Election leaving the party without representation in the 31st Dáil.
The Green Party headquarters was closed in Dublin recently after six of its employees were made redundant.
Councillor Meaney has convened a meeting of its 11 elected representatives, two county councillors, Mariana Butler in Dun Laoighaire and Malcolm Noonan in Kilkenny, as well as eight town councillors.
Councillor Meaney expressed concern that the new Programme for Government includes provisions that undo a lot of the work the Green Party did in relation to planning. He acknowledged it would be difficult for Green Party councillors to continue without any national spokespersons and the absence of a party headquarters.
It proved to be a very disappointing General Election for Councillor Meaney, whose voted dropped by over 50% from 2,903 in 2002 to 1,154. However, his overall share of the vote was higher than other high-profile Green Party General Election candidates.
He needed to secure one quarter of the quota or 2,896 first preferences to be in a position to claim back in the region of €5,500 of election expenditure during the actual election campaign between the official start and polling day.
Asked if he would consider leaving the party to operate as an independent councillor or to join another political party, Councillor Meaney insisted it is far too early to consider this drastic course of action.
“I like to be able to have a strong policy base, which is there when you are a member of a political party. Having good policies provides an ideal platform to introduce political change. Independents are necessary in Irish politics but I believe there is still a need for the Green Party and I hope to be in a position to ensure the party continues,” he said.
