Catherine Martin, the Green Party’s deputy leader, has hinted at an enlargement of the government’s pioneering scheme that offers a basic income to artists. While addressing the Green Party conference in Dublin on a Saturday evening, she termed the €105 million pilot scheme, that secures a weekly income of €325 for the artists involved, as an unprecedented move. She observed that based on the initial success of this programme, there is a strong argument to extend this basic income to all artists, stating this to be her ultimate objective.
Furthermore, she deemed the subsequent year to be a defining one for the Green Party, asserting that their approach to local politics is unmatched for being equitable, sustainable, and secure. She condemned the seventh October attack on Israel by Hamas as ruthless. She criticised the ensuing substantial loss of innocent lives under the deceptive claim of self-protection, and urged for an immediate halt of the denial of humanitarian aid, along with the terrifying starvation and devastation in this conflict-stricken region.
In addition, Catherine Martin criticised other European Union nations for their inconsistent stance on Gaza, questioning their readiness to impose sanctions on Russia but remaining silent about Israel.
Ms Martin also praised new laws established by Coimisiún na Meán to limit the exposure to damaging content online, with potential penalties of up to €20 million and criminal action against company directors for non-compliance. She expressed her staunch commitment towards securing a revamped funding model for public service broadcasting before summer, assuring Green Party members that unlike previous governments, this will materialise.
Earlier in the conference, Roderic O’Gorman, the Minister for Children, strongly criticised other political parties for their constant changes in policy positions. He accused them of pandering to popular opinion without any clear stance, suggesting they frequently adjust their positions based on latest trends and public sentiment. He was particularly critical of their double standards in supporting certain policies domestically but voting against them in Brussels.
The Green Party conference witnessed Roderic O’Gorman receiving an extended applause as he prepared to address the delegates. This occurred subsequent to an intimidating demonstration that took place outside his residence the previous Thursday, involving a cohort of masked protesters displaying anti-immigration banners. Mr O’Gorman described the past days as “testing”.
He proposed a call to action for Green Party members, urging them to utilise the forthcoming 48 days leading up to the election to underscore their party’s accomplishments. His address highlighted the Green Party’s electoral results, moving from zero Dáil seats in 2011 to a record-breaking twelve in 2020.
He assured that the goals set for childcare services were being met, and announced that he would introduce the Equal Start scheme. This initiative would, for the first time, provide targeted support for early-year services in socioeconomically deprived areas.
Taking onto his department the responsibility for managing disability services from the Department of Health the previous year, Mr O’Gorman pledged that before the government’s term ended, he would sign the Optional Protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This allows a disabled individual to make a complaint to the UN if they perceive their rights safeguarded under the Convention to not be respected.
Speaking on immigration and racism, he observed a rising trend of rightist and far-right factions exploiting the challenges of this era with their narrow-minded conservatism and blatant racism. He said, “There are those who wish to pull us backwards environmentally and socially, to dismantle rights that have been hard-won, to outright deny the impending climate crisis.”
However, he emphasized that “politics devoid of values equates to mere pandering”, before asserting that the Green Party was not guided by reactive online discourse, but rather, by principles such as solidarity, equality, and social justice. And they would not shy away from asserting the same. He pointed out the disturbing trend of division and hatred, cautioning how society was assuming the worst about individuals constantly.
The pernicious effects of deceit and mistruths circulated on social media are felt acutely in our communities, especially among the most vulnerable, a reality that eerily mirrors situations in other countries where radicals gain ground at the expense of the moderates. The definition of our democracy should not be left to anonymous internet users. Democracy is made by those who actively partake, who let their voices be heard.
Subsequent to his severe critique of competing parties, Mr O’Gorman was questioned if this is a depiction of the party’s future behaviour. He underscored the significance of shining a spotlight on party flip-flops and reversals. He highlighted the impending local and European elections where parties are preparing to form a government, and how crucial it is to consider what candidates say before and after the elections. He proudly stated, “We have consistently delivered what we promised. It’s wholly right to draw attention to dramatic and abrupt shifts.”
Leading Green Party member Eamon Ryan voiced his belief on Saturday, that their political ideology diverges from all other parties, but still respects alternative political customs. In times calling for significant transformation to safeguard both citizens and the environment, it’s necessary not to shy away from assertive language.
Around 500 delegates are predicted to convene at the single-day event at the RDS. Rather than proposing and debating motions, a typical occurrence at such events, the concentration will be entirely on the strategy for the fast-approaching June 7th election to optimise the success of the Green Party. Adopting the slogan ‘Keep Going Green’, the party plans to field 112 candidates in the local elections, aiming for a representative in each county.
Candidates will discuss their motivations for running. In addition, attention will be drawn to the emerging generation of young Greens. Throughout, the party will hold sessions reflecting on the Green party’s contributions at local, national, and European stages, and why their role is of importance in local councils and the European Parliament.
They intend to bring to the fore Green initiatives such as reduced rail and bus fares, the development of public transport services, decreased childcare expenditures, augmented farmer grants for organic produce, home retrofitting and the groundbreaking basic income for artists pilot scheme, supporting 2,000 artists.
The two Green Party MEPs, Ciaran Cuffe and Grace O’Sullivan, along with candidate Senator Pauline O’Reilly, will engage in a discourse about achieving success in the European elections. Furthermore, newly elected Green Party Senator and the party’s leader in Northern Ireland, Mal O’Hara, will deliver a talk on the spread of Green politics across both northern and southern regions.