Laois Green team aims to score big at local elections
Green Party's European Elections candidate outlines her green credentials
The Green Party is targeting a big breakthrough at the June local elections in Laois with the aim of taking a seat in each of the county's electoral areas.
Minister Pippa Hackett and Midlands North West European Parliament candidate Senator Pauline O'Reilly were in the county recently to jointly launch two additional Green Party candidates for the local elections in June - Fiona Dunne and Charlie Hackett.
Minister Pippa Hackett was pleased to announce the candidates who have entered the race to win seats on Laois County Council.
“I am delighted to announce this brilliant news for Laois," she said.
A statement said Fiona Dunne is a Laois local with extensive experience of working in the voluntary and community sector who will be a "great asset" to the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District.
"Her passion and drive for local vibrant communities and for nature will deliver in spades for people in this area, and across Laois," she said.
Ms Hacket said Charlie Hackett will run in the Graiguecullen/Portarlington area.
Pictured: Pippa Hackett, Charlie Hackett and Senator Pauline O'Reilly in Portarlington.
Both candidates will join Ballinakill woman, Rosie Palmer, who is running in the Portlaoise area.
“Having candidates in all three electoral areas offers real choice to voters and an opportunity to get a strong green voice into local politics. It is so important to be able to build on the work that hardworking communities across Laois are engaged in; and we know from other counties with elected green councillors that this makes a significant difference at local level," said the Minsister of State at the Department of Agriculture.
Pictured: Rosie Palmer, Sen O'Reilly, Minister Hackett and Fiona Dunne.
“Laois is very special to me as my mother’s family have their roots just over the Laois border in Gathabawn and I spent a lot of my childhood in Cullahill and Durrow.
“When I’m out campaigning people often ask me how I do it? To see inspirational projects like Solas in Portarlington, Mountmellick Embroidery Museum and the Abbeyleix Bog Project on my visit, is part of the reason that I want to work for this area – the Midwest - in Europe.
"Learning for example that the Abbeyleix Bog Project was showcased in the recent Nature Restoration campaign in the EU makes me very proud of what our communities are achieving. Given the right resources and support we can continue to punch above our weight on the European stage”, O’Reilly concluded.
The Local and European Elections are being held on Friday, June 7 2024.