Greens launch Cork campaign

The Green Party launched its election campaign in Cork City and County at an event in the Maldron Hotel, Cork City today (November 15). The Party is planning to build on its strong results in the local elections and the longstanding work of local activists to be in contention to win seats in the Dáil. The Greens are running five candidates in the county: Dr Monica Oikeh (Cork South Central), Councillor Oliver Moran (Cork North Central), Clíona O'Halloran (East Cork), Colette Finn (Cork North West) and Mary Ryder (Cork South West).

Doctor Monica Oikeh, Green Party candidate for Cork South Central, said;

“The Green Party has used its role in Government to deliver for women. We expanded paid parents, paternity and maternity leave and introduced free HRT for all women. We introduced Domestic Violence leave, among the first in the world to do so. We made contraception free for tens of thousands and made sure that those who need a termination can do so free from harassment. That’s a strong record, but we will go even further.

We will provide refuge space to every person fleeing domestic violence who needs it and ensure that domestic violence orders are enforced in a timely manner. We’ll expand the right to request remote and flexible working to every single worker, and build remote working hubs, starting with towns in commuter belt areas around our big cities. Unlike Donald Trump, we know that women know what’s best for their own bodies, so we will strengthen reproductive rights across the country.”

Green Party Leader, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said;

“If you look at the record of this Government, it’s the Green Party that’s been the driver of change. We’ve delivered real benefits for families, delivered lower emissions, protected nature, unprecedented investment in transport, reductions to childcare costs, and major expansion of family leave. And we’ve done it all in a way so that people feel benefits today, and our country benefits in the future.

“We say to voters in Cork today - don’t put that progress at risk with a Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael majority: Vote to send the grown-ups back into the room with them. We delivered on reducing our carbon emissions by 7% - the lowest they’ve been in 30 years – at a time when the economy is growing and the country is at full employment. 

“As Greens, we think long-term but we deliver today. That’s our message all over Ireland - Greens Deliver. And given the chance to be part of the next Government, we’ll continue to deliver for everyone right across Ireland.”