Ian Carey
1. PUBLIC TRANSPORT & ACTIVE TRAVEL - We need massive state investment in public transport and cycling. This government has given greater priority to public transport and active travel than ANY before, but decades of neglect of our services could never be turned around in one term. We need to stay the course so Metrolink, Dart+, BusConnects and the Strategic Rail review happen.
We also need to maintain investment in walking and cycling. This change of government is a major risk to all of these projects. No one is more committed than the Green Party to delivering on this.
2. BUILD HOMES & COMMUNITIES - Everyone deserves access to an affordable and secure home, when they are young. Not putting their lives on hold to save for impossibly high deposits. We need to continue the massive state investment to end the housing crisis.
We also need stronger action on investors who are pricing people out of homes and driving up costs. At the same time, we need greater focus on communities and the investments needed to make for thriving and liveable - public spaces, sports and the arts.
3. NATURE PROTECTION & CLIMATE - We may have invested more than ever but we still have a long way to travel to make Ireland a climate resilient country and to restore nature. We need to continue our ambition of cutting emissions by 7% year on year. Locally we need management plans for all our protected areas to restore nature.
4. CHILDCARE COSTS & SLÁINTECARE - Our family has paid more than the cost of our mortgage on childcare each month for a number of years. I understand the pressure people are under. We have seen substantial reductions recently, but we need to go further.
I support driving childcare costs down to European norms. I also support a new major investment in delivering Ireland’s National Health Service, Sláintecare. It needs stronger political will.
Experience
I’m born and raised in Fingal and understand the issues that impact you. I know the challenges families face when it comes to childcare and school places. With three young children, we are living it.
My background is in the media, but I switched careers in 2015 to work for environmental groups because of concerns about the climate and nature destruction.
I worked in Ireland for environmental NGOs in communication and advocacy on issues such as climate change, nature restoration, air pollution, and plastic waste. My advocacy work led me to politics as it became clear it is the most effective way to make significant change. I joined the Greens as Communications Manager and worked as Deputy Government Press Secretary during the last government. I understand what is needed to be effective in coalition government.
I served as a Councillor for Swords for the last five years and in that role was Cathaoirleach of the Swords, Donabate, Balbriggan area and Chair of the Fingal Joint Policing Committee.
I have volunteered within the Swords community all my adult life and continue to do so.
