Green Party Chairperson Janet Horner selected to contest Dublin Central By-Election

The Green Party today announced that Cllr. Janet Horner will contest the Dublin Central by-election. Janet is the party chairperson and party spokesperson on foreign affairs. 

Cllr Horner promised to put the communities of Dublin Central at the heart of her campaign:

“Dublin Central is a vibrant, connected community full of compassion, creativity and ambition. As a councillor and a long-term resident of the north inner city, I know the people of Dublin Central deserve a TD who will fight fearlessly for our area.

“I believe in the best of Dublin Central - we need leadership focused on action and solutions, rather than problems and fear, and that recognises and champions our area’s rich history and cultures. 

“I’m running because Dublin Central needs a strong, new Green voice that puts community, care and culture at the heart of how we respond to the climate crisis and the uncertainty of the world around us. At a time when hard men are trying to profit from division and from exploiting our planet, I want to bring positive imagination to politics - building community and resilience, strengthening our social fabric, and supporting nature.

“We are stronger when we stand together. I want to see communities that look after one another and are united in our diversity. That is the vision I will bring to Dáil Éireann, for the people of Dublin, and for the people of Ireland

Speaking at today’s launch, Leader of the Green Party, Deputy Roderic O’Gorman said: “Janet is a person who lives her values. She has spoken up for the most vulnerable in her community and has been attacked for that, but this hasn’t silenced her.  She sees diversity as our strength, and her proven track record in winning votes means she is a strong voice in this by-election”.

Policy Priorities:

Community

• We must confront the national housing and homelessness crisis, which affects Dublin in particular. We must tackle vacancy and dereliction, fund restorations, and bring empty homes back into use to revitalise our inner city.
• Everyone should have reliable and affordable public transport and streets where walking, cycling, and moving around the city is safe for all.
• Older people, children, and people with disabilities should feel secure, protected and respected in their homes, on the streets and in the broader community.

Culture

• Dublin Central is full of incredible talent - sporting, artistic, and cultural. We need more sports facilities, artist studios, creative spaces, and facilities so young people and communities can develop their skills and passions.
• Our diversity is a strength. We need to develop strong integration and support structures so we can all thrive in a multicultural society.
• In an era where fear divides, we need a culture of cooperation - valuing solutions over slogans, action over division, and building hope and opportunity for the next generation.

Care

• Our social housing has suffered years of neglect. Everyone deserves safe, high-quality homes, we must deliver more of them.
• Everyone deserves access to high-quality inclusive, public services that support their needs, from healthcare and childcare, to disability supports and education.
• Taking care of future generations means taking climate action now: Cleaner and cheaper energy and reducing air pollution; reducing waste, for cleaner streets and public spaces; and creating more green spaces, where our children and nature can thrive

Biography:

Janet is the Green Party representative for the North-Inner City on Dublin City Council, a community which has been her home for more than a decade. 

Janet is Green Party spokesperson for foreign affairs, and has lived in England, Uganda and India working in politics, human rights and community development projects.

As a daily cyclist in Dublin, she is passionate about improving walking and cycling conditions in our city to ensure that everyone, of all ages, genders and abilities, can safely use and enjoy our shared public streets. 

A firm believer in equality for workers, Janet is a trade union activist and currently holds a position on the SIPTU Equality Committee. A feminist and advocate for gender equality, Janet worked closely with others as part of the Dublin Central Together for Yes campaign to repeal the eighth amendment in 2018.

Janet holds a degree in Anthropology and Development Studies and a Masters in Politics and Public Policy.

ENDS