It’s time to have a Green voice on Mayo County Council
THE Mayo Green Party launched its local and European election candidates for Mayo this week with a clear message that it is time to have a committed Green voice on Mayo County Council and a strong Green presence in Europe.
Without this, the party said that Mayo would be left behind as other counties and regions power ahead with the climate transition that will create new green jobs, green energy and viable green agriculture.
The party is running two candidates for the upcoming local elections on June 7 - Peter Nolan, who is running in the Westport Electoral Area, and Micheál O’Conaill, who is running in the Belmullet Electoral Area.
They were joined at the launch of their campaigns by Senator Pauline O’Reilly, who is contesting the European election for the midlands north-west region.
Peter Nolan, an organic farmer based in Louisburgh, said that the 'group think' of the current Mayo County Council representatives would keep Mayo back.
“Over 85% of Irish people, rural and urban, old and young, believe that climate change is real and that it has to be addressed systemically if we are to look forward to a viable future. Already, the county councils in Ireland that have embraced this reality are powering ahead but this message seems to have passed over the heads of the current regressive Mayo County Council representatives, as they cling to the thinking and politics of the past,” said Mr. Nolan.
“This is going to keep Mayo behind when we have so much to gain from the green transition, whether that’s in our enormous renewable energy potential, new green industries, more diverse and better payments for farming, or in creating thriving towns and villages that encourage people back home.”
Micheál O’Conaill, a retired business man from Belmullet who was raised on a small farm, said he is acutely aware of the need for rural regeneration.
He said: “Many Mayo farmers, often farming on marginal lands, have the most to gain from regenerative and nature based farming solutions that pay well, which is what green agriculture is all about.
“In reality they are already doing this. Over one in three farmers across the country are already participating in the €1.5 billion Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), which sees farmers getting a financial reward for delivering environmental action. And Mayo has had the second highest county-wide sign up scheme. Mayo farmers know that green farming pays.
“As a public representative I will work hard for small farmers and rural communities, advocating for increased incentives and greater supports so that farmers can diversify their incomes. I want to ensure that young farmers stay in agriculture and that they can live well with their families right here in Mayo.”
Senator O’Reilly said that it was vital for economic security that Europe keeps going green. Pauline has been a member of Seanad Éireann since 2020 and has worked tirelessly to strengthen education and higher education policies, and has initiated many policies for women and girls, as well as working for rural communities, like her latest work to combat loneliness.
“Climate change is already happening. Each of the last 10 months have been the warmest in recorded history. In Ireland, that has meant endless rain. Our fields are sodden. Our waterways are tipping over. Our food security is threatened.
“We will not address this reality by parking the green transition. That will only make things worse for people and communities.
“With Greens in Europe and in local politics we can both protect the environment and maintain a strong economy, while at the same time lowering people’s bills, improving our quality of life, bringing our towns back to life and ensuring a secure future for our children and their children.”