Gogarty bids for Green Party role
Dublin mid-west TD Paul Gogarty today put himself forward for chairman of the Green Party.
The 32-year-old former journalist said he was contesting the position because he believed the party was at a crossroads and needed a strong and impartial Chair.
It comes just days after Senator Dan Boyle threw his name into the ring following the vacancy left by John Gormley’s appointment as Environment Minister in July.
Mr Gogarty said: “The role of Cathaoirleach of the Green Party is a pivotal one.
“The Chair is an office holder or has voting rights on all of the party’s decision making bodies.
“The Chair has an input into policy formation and party organisation.
“It is also the duty of the Chair to ensure that party business at the Ard Fheis and special conventions is conducted in a timely and efficient manner and seen to be done fairly,” he said.
Mr Gogarty said he had a vision for the party and would be focusing on three keys areas if elected.
These include encouraging community activism within party ranks, helping candidates ensure electoral success and maintaining the party’s independent stance while in government.
“If elected Cathaoirleach, my aim will be to support the Party Leader, Deputy Leader and Ministers in Government, but also ensure that the considered view of the membership and our own policy positions are kept to the forefront,” he said.
“The Chair’s role is also to help develop the party and uphold our principal of decision making at the lowest effective level.”
The party’s National Council met yesterday during which they discussed the chairmanship contest.
The final date for nominations from party members is October 5, with a result expected by the end of the month.
A member of the Green Party since 1989, Mr Gogarty was first elected to the Dail in 2002 and is the only Green TD to be elected in a three-seat constituency.
