I’m looking for people who care about making Swords a more sustainable and fairer place.
And are willing to do something about it.
I want to expand our Green Party members and supporters’ group in the Swords area so we can better achieve our goals and improve Swords for everyone.
If you support the work I’m doing, or if you share the values of the Green Party, then fill out this form and get involved.
I sat on the fence for years wondering if it would be worth my while getting involved. Since I got involved, I wish I had done it sooner.
I have put together this simple Q&A about getting involved to help you decide.
Why get involved?
Local volunteers can work with their Councillor to push their own local issues through the county council. Through access to officials, special policy committees, local area committee and the main council meeting, a Councillor can push for changes. Swords has benefitted from having a green voice at the table for the first time since 2019, you can help strengthen that voice.
What would it involve?
Helping a political party can involve anything from delivering leaflets to writing national level party policy. At a local level the main ways volunteers can help is through working on questions for council committees (area, policy and full council), helping writing submissions, delivering leaflets and canvassing. You are free to volunteer for whatever kind of work you think best suits you. If you also join the Green Party you can have a part in proposing, voting on, and writing party policy, through our policy council. This kind of strong democratic structure is at the heart of the Green Party.
Why support the Greens?
I personally took a long time to fully commit to supporting a political party. I chose the Greens because their policies aligned closely, but not completely, with my own values. I liked that they had strong democratic structures and showed willingness to enter government and try to implement what they stand for. The Greens stand for strong climate action, protecting and regenerating the natural environment, a fair and equitable society, decision making at the lowest effective level, and supporting peace. For me it was the commitment to evidence-based policies was important too and standing firmly against populism.
What are the Greens achieving locally?
My work in the last few years has centred on getting a better deal for Swords. The town had historically been receiving less funding through its operations budget than other areas and my motion to council changed that. In the last two years Swords has seen a doubling of its operations budget. This is money for footpath repair, park upgrades, traffic calming, pedestrian lights, drainage, decorative planting etc. I also pushed for the Biodiversity Plan to be fully funded and this has led to actions in the Ward River Valley and the Broadmeadow Estuary being included. As a group we have championed disability and access issues, we have increased climate ambition through the development plan, and supported sustainable food production in Fingal. We are also the strongest supporters of walking, cycling, and public transport priority in the council.
What are the Greens achieving nationally?
As just a minority part of the current coalition, the Green Party are behind much of the positive change being brought forward by this government. Here are some key wins:
- Passed first ever legally binding law to halve carbon emissions by 2030
- Slashed public transport fares by 20% and over 50% for young people
- Changed planning laws to allow more solar power on housing, schools, farms, and abolished VAT
- Delivered a €90m budget for nature and wildlife, including an 83% funding increase for the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
- Hiked spending on footpaths and cycle lanes by 600%
- Delivered 25% reduction in childcare fees
- Introduce new right to free contraception for 17 to 30 year olds
- Introduced pilot scheme to create a Basic Income for Artists
Do I have to join the party to help out?
No, you are free to support my work without joining the party. Many people who helped me get elected were not Green Party members, just friends, neighbours and family. But if you share the same values, I encourage you to join so you can participate in policy development and vote in key decisions.
How to I get involved?
