Green leader sends warm congratulations to Pope Leo XVI

Press enquiries - Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

The Green Party in Northern Ireland stands firmly in support of transgender rights

Press enquiries - Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

Greens welcome vote to create Climate Commissioner role

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Green Party Leader welcomes ban of executive parties from Belfast Pride

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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 

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The Election of Donald J Trump as President-elect of the United States

The outcome of the election in the United States is deeply troubling. The chaos and damage of the last Trump presidency to global climate policy, to peace and security, and the marginalised groups across the United States was evident.

Now that we enter a new era of Trumpian politics in the most powerful country on earth, we must remain strong and united. This will give courage to an already emboldened far-right across Europe. Will further destablise an already devastating situation for the people in Gaza facing genocide and Ukraine with Putins aggression.

In the face of a threat to the global order, to climate action and the rule of law there must be a movement to preserve these values worldwide.

We must stand with the Americans who today, feel rejected by their own country. For women whose reproductive freedom is under threat, and for the ethnic minorities, immigrants and LGBTQI people who face rejection at the hands of their government we must let them know they will not be forgotten.

You are not alone, and we will continue to support you. Marginalised groups have faced challenges before and have overcome, and we will overcome again.

Senator Mal O’Hara
Green Party NI leader

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Green Party NI Leader Senator Mal O’Hara responds to Budget 2025

Green Party NI Leader Senator Mal O’Hara responds to Budget 2025, welcoming positive developments for NI but falling short of the radical change we need.

Senator O'Hara said "The budget delivered today by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, while a step in the right direction, is only a baby step. The unpausing of the growth deals in Northern Ireland is finally getting in motion a positive programme for our communities, as well as the increase in funding of £1.5B to the Northern Ireland Executive giving us space to invest in our public services."

He continued "But there is a serious lack of ambition in this budget in delivering the radical change we so desperately need. Marginal changes to the tax base will not have the impact that a strong wealth tax could have on revitalising this country. We need redistribution of the vast wealth in this country, not a continuation of austerity light."

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Green Party NI Leader Senator Mal O’Hara furious over homelessness figures in Northern Ireland

Recent figures released to the NI Assembly showing number of people with homeless status reaches 58,238, a 135.5% increase in 10 years.

Senator O'Hara said "The executive parties have overseen a rise in homeless figures unrivalled by any comparable nation. It is an absolute disgrace that the executive can carry on as normal, while every day more people are facing housing stress, more people are sent to the back of housing list to wait decades for a home, more people are carted around the country just to keep a temporary roof over their heads."

Senator O'Hara continued "How much longer can this executive go on, ignoring the root causes of homelessness. Under investment in social housing, failure to properly regulate the private rented sector and allowing land hoarding to run rampant. This is exemplified by the executive only allocating enough funding for 500 social homes this financial year. At this pace it will take 60 years to clear the backlog of over 30,00 homeless households. The reflex from the executive parties is to blame Tory austerity or chronic under investment in Northern Ireland. They will not take responsibility for their 26 years of on and off government."

ENDS 

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Interim report on drugs "positive to see progress on saving lives and reducing harm" - Senator O'Hara

Senator Mal O’Hara said “I am delighted to see this interim report. With an election due within weeks, this report gives a clear direction to any incoming Government on how to move to a health led approach which will save lives and reduce harm.

Mal continued “The work of the joint committee is to respond to the 36 recommendations made by the Citizens Assembly. The Committee held engagements with stakeholders in June, July, September, and October of 2024 which provided evidence from a broad perspective of voices and sectors of Irish society. Arising from these engagements, the Committee made 59 recommendations in its interim report. Some of which include repealing the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997, introducing a regulatory model for certain drugs and decriminalisation in relation to possession of all substances for personal use. 

These include:

• the stigmatisation of drug use and the shaming of drug users are a source of significant harm.

• the Committee recommends that steps are taken to introduce a regulatory model for certain drugs. The Committee recommends this should be considered with particular reference to Spain, Malta, and Germany in the development of an Irish not for profit regulated cannabis market.

• that Government introduce a health-led approach to the use and misuse of substances.

• the decriminalisation of the person in relation to the possession of all substances for personal use, in line with the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly - this highlights that the goal of drug policy should be to reduce harm and eliminate stigma, both, in large part, caused and exacerbated by the criminalisation of people who use drugs.

• Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997 be repealed, to give effect to a comprehensive health led approach.

• the decriminalisation of possession for personal use should apply equally to all illicit drugs.

• people should be offered all supports and health resources that are required, but that no person should be criminalised for not availing of a supportive intervention.

• the importance of there being a strong, constructive working relationship between the community, voluntary and statutory services, and An Garda Síochána, to support the provision of compassionate and person-centred interventions where required, underpinned by a robust Memorandum of Understanding.

• local authorities and An Garda Síochana are supported and empowered in strongly discouraging and reducing consumption in public areas. This should be done in an appropriate and sensitive way which considers the complex inter-relationship between problematic use and extreme deprivation and homelessness.

• that specific trauma and harm reduction training be provided to An Garda Síochána and local authorities, to inform their work with individuals and communities affected by drug misuse and addiction.

• the development of clear guidelines for An Garda Síochána to operate within a decriminalised model

Senator O’Hara finished “It is positive to see this progress on saving lives and reducing harm. It is disappointing that despite Northern Ireland having a higher drug death rate than the Republic, and drug deaths almost tripling in the last decade, that the Executive Parties sit on their hands while vulnerable people die.”

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