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New Infrastructure Minister has fallen at the first hurdle - Green Party

Posted News · February 25, 2025 12:45 PM

New Infrastructure Minister has fallen at the first hurdle - Green Party

Green Party Leader Mal O’Hara said, "Sinn Fein continue to lack ambition on public transport regardless of who they swap into or out of the Ministerial seat. While the Glider expansion is welcome, it was very clear that the public appetite for extending the service to Glengormley was there. That the Minister cites "congestion" in Glengormley centre as a key reason not to expand the Glider shows just how poorly this executive understands transport. Frequent, reliable and cheap public transport reduces congestion."

Cllr Aine Groogan said, "This is a short-sighted decision by the Minister for Infrastructure. I'm incredibly frustrated that there is no plan to extend the new glider route to Carryduff, it shows that there continues to be no vision or appetite for transformation amidst the NI Executive. We need extensive investment in our public transport system to make up for the years of chronic underfunding. What isn't economically viable is Stormont's failure to grasp that we are in a climate emergency & a public health crisis from air pollution, its nonsensical not to include what is in reality a modest extension to the scheme."

ENDS 

Press enquiries - Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

Green light for Belfast toy recycling scheme - Cllr Aine Groogan

Posted News · November 09, 2022 1:49 PM

Belfast City Council will soon collect “pre-loved” toys for children in need, following a campaign by Green Party Councillor Áine Groogan.


Four Belfast City Council recycling centres will have specific containers to gather the toys, which will be distributed to approved charity partners. The toys will then either be gifted or sold at a substantially reduced rate to families in need.


Cllr. Groogan first proposed a motion calling for the scheme in November 2020 and later met with council staff to work out details. The report on the pilot scheme was approved by the Council’s People and Communities committee this evening (Tuesday).


The pilot scheme will accept a range of pre-loved toys at the Council’s recycling centres over a 3-4 week period starting this month (November).


Speaking following the committee meeting, Cllr. Áine Groogan (Botanic DEA) said: “Thousands of families across Belfast are feeling the cost of living pinch, and this scheme will help ensure that kids still get a chance to play with great toys.


“Kids can outgrow bikes, dolls and puzzles quickly. We all remember going through phases when we were young, with different toys for different points in our lives. This scheme will allow kids to share the joy from their toys with others.


“The scheme will also help reduce waste, ensuring that toys go on to be loved and used, not just chucked in the bin.


“Nobody should miss out on the chance to play because of financial uncertainty. This will be a great scheme for Belfast kids. I am really proud of having brought this plan forward, and am grateful to council staff and colleagues for their support.”


Contacts:
Cllr. Áine Groogan, Botanic DEA: 07823 664817, [email protected]

Green Councillors pay tribute to victims and survivors of Bloody Friday bombings

Posted News · July 21, 2022 5:15 PM

Green Party Councillors Aine Groogan & Anthony Flynn attended the 50th anniversary of the bloody Friday bombings, which included a memorial service at Belfast city hall.

Cllr Aine Groogan said “We are here to pay tribute to the victims and families of those impacted by the Bloody Friday atrocity, it is important that we remember our past and those we have lost and work towards a peaceful future for all of our people.”

The event remembers lives tragically lost when a series of IRA bombs exploded in the city centre, causing 9 deaths and 130 injuries.

Cllr Anthony Flynn concluded “Belfast is in a much different place now than it was on that dark day in 1972, we have come so far and yet events of today remind us how far we still have to go to ensure victims & survivors get the justice that they deserve.”

ENDS