Green Party general secretary dies
The Green Party has postponed its pre-Dáil meeting after the party’s general secretary Dermot Hamilton died suddenly today.
The 48-year-old fell ill this morning with chest pains and was taken to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, where he died of a heart attack at around 10.30am.
He was a 20-year veteran of the Green Party and had contested a number of local elections, before being appointed general secretary in February this year.
Mr Hamilton, from Rush, Co Dublin, is survived by his wife Patricia and teenage daughter Kelly.
The Green Party postponed its parliamentary meeting in Dublin today and cancelled engagements scheduled for the weekend as a mark of respect.
Leader Trevor Sargent paid tribute to Mr Hamilton, whose death he described as a huge loss to the party.
“Dermot made a huge contribution to the Green movement as a member as well as a candidate in the early 90s and more recently as general secretary.
“As general secretary his dedication brought us to a higher level of organisation than ever before.
“He was extremely popular among staff and party members and we are all deeply shocked at this sad news,” Mr Sargent said.
Speaking before the party’s parliamentary meeting was due to get under way, TDs said they would bring real change to an alternative government.
The party has unveiled its energy strategy – which aims to switch Ireland to 100% renewable energy by 2050 – and said it was the first of a number of detailed policy documents to be released over coming months.
Energy spokesman Eamon Ryan dismissed recent criticism by Michael McDowell that the party would raise taxes and build fewer roads, claiming he didn’t know what he was talking about on transport and education, and reissued his challenge to the Justice Minister to an open debate on the two issues.
Mr Ryan also said the childcare document, drawn up in consultation with parents and groups such as the National Women’s Council of Ireland, would give families choice on how they brought up their children.
It aims for a balanced approach by providing flexible working, greater parental leave and a payment which allows parents to choose between childcare and bringing up their child themselves.
