Carlow-Kilkenny TD Malcolm Noonan joined Green Party candidates from around the country today at the launch of the Party’s 2024 election manifesto.
Speaking to media at the event, Party leader Roderic O’Gorman outlined how the Greens in government had led a transformative agenda on climate, nature, energy, housing and public transport, as well as halving childcare costs, expanding childcare places and delivering a Basic Income for the Arts. He said it was clear from this record of delivery that the Greens represent the best value vote in this election, and promised that in any future government formation the Party would be just as effective as it has been up to now.
Speaking at the launch, Malcolm Noonan said:
“The Greens have always been forward-thinking. We’ve shown in government that we think long-term, but deliver real change that benefits people today. In 2020 we went to the electorate with a vision for this decade; we’re now half way through the decade and we’re on track for delivery but we need the next five years to continue that work.
"If you look at the record of this Government, there’s no doubt it’s the Green Party who’ve been the real drivers of change. This manifesto is our promise to the electorate that the transformative programme of work we undertook in government - making public transport better and more affordable; delivering significant reductions to childcare costs; working with farmers, fishers, landowners and communities to restore nature; and embedding real, meaningful climate action in people’s day to day lives – all of this will continue if the Greens are in the next government.
“What we’re saying to voters today is don’t put that progress at risk. Vote Green to send the real drivers of change back into government.”
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman added:
“We’ve delivered real benefits for families, delivered lower emissions, protected nature, delivered unprecedented investment in transport, delivered reductions to childcare costs, and major expansion of family leave. And we’ve done it all in a way so that people feel benefits today, and our country benefits in the future. Our priority has always been about acting now to build a better future for you, your family and your children. This manifesto reflects that goal.”
Among the measures proposed in the manifesto, the Green Party will deliver:
More and better housing: Targeting an average of 50,000 new homes per year, including 15,000 affordable or cost rental homes and 12,000 social, along with renovating vacant or derelict units and creating warmer, healthier homes through an equity release scheme for retrofitting and an increase from 80% to 100% for attic and cavity wall insulation grants.
Continued investment in public transport: Prioritising agreement for a €10bn multiannual investment package that will transform public transport and deliver the capacity, the frequency and the speed we need to safeguard inward investment and jobs; allow us better plan our urban areas; reduce emissions; and improve the commuter experience.
A better start for children and families: Continuing to reduce childcare costs for parents, making it free for those on the lowest incomes, and ensuring no one pays more than €200 a month; guaranteeing a preschool place for every child; and further extending maternity, paternity and parent’s leave to cover the entire first year of a child’s life.
A focus on nature restoration: Developing, implementing and fully resourcing an ambitious Nature Restoration Plan for our land, rivers, seas and urban areas; advocating for a European Nature Restoration Fund to ensure farmers, fishers and foresters are rewarded for delivering on the targets of the Nature Restoration Law; and implementing the fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan to ensure Ireland’s biodiversity is protected and restored.
See the full manifesto here:
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