All-island rail review "A transformative vision for the Island of Ireland" - Senator O'Hara

Green Party NI leader, Senator Mal O'Hara

The long-awaited publication of the All-Island Rail Review has brought with it a transformative vision for the Island of Ireland. Nearly 700km of new rail infrastructure bringing another 700,00 people to within distance of a train station is an incredible prospect for everyone on the Island. Major Northern Irish towns like Strabane, Omagh and Dungannon are to be reconnected and on to the wider network. The islands major airports in Belfast, Dublin and Shannon will all be connected. This is a win for everyone on the island, for the people, for the planet and for businesses with 2011 projections estimating over £17Billion in economic benefits to the Island.

The leadership of Minister Eamon Ryan in spearheading this plan cannot be understated. Since 2020 he has put accessible, sustainable public transport at the centre of his programme. Shifting the dial to 2/3 of spending going to public transport rather than private car focused infrastructure is proving transformative. I sincerely hope the Northern Ireland Executive can also be as brave in prioritising rail transport over the coming years.

ENDS 

Press enquiries - Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

Labour's first King's speech lacks ambition to be bold - Senator O'Hara

Green Party NI Leader Senator Mal is disappointed in lack of ambition in King’s speech.

Senator Mal O’Hara said “The Kings Speech sadly does not deliver the bold action we need to restore the NHS and public services or to tackle the climate and nature emergencies. It is welcome that Labour will scrap the Legacy Act which carries no support in Northern Ireland. There are welcome promises on rail, buses, worker rights and renewable energy but no commitment on votes at 16, or a bill to regulate artificial intelligence, nor a clear commitment to ban extraction. My 4 Green MP colleagues will keep the pressure on this Labour administration to be bolder.”

Senator O’Hara continued “It is welcome that the Prime Minister will meet with the Taoiseach today in an attempt to reset relationships after the disaster of Brexit and recent Tory administrations. Our stories are so interwoven across these islands that it is imperative that we have strong relationships.”

ENDS 

Press enquiries - Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

Green Party Northern Ireland Leadership welcomes Minister Roderic O’Gorman victory in Green Party Ireland leadership contest

Green Party Northern Ireland Leadership welcomes Minister Roderic O’Gorman's victory in Green Party Ireland leadership contest.

Senator Mal O’Hara said “Congratulations to Minister Roderic O’Gorman on his victory in the Green Party Ireland leadership election.
I am glad that the party had a choice in this election and that led to a robust and civilised debate about priorities for the party during the last term of government and in preparation for the election.”

Senator O’Hara continued “Roderic has been a long term supporter and friend of Green Party Northern Ireland. He understand the importance of both social and environmental justice and I look forward to working with him.”

Green Party Northern Ireland Deputy Leader Lesley Veronica said “Many congratulations to Roderic and commiserations to Senator Pippa Hackett. Both were fantastic candidates for leadership and the party will now unite behind Roderic. Members in Northern Ireland also have a vote in the deputy leadership election and I would encourage members to use their democratic right and attend the special convention for this position on 14th of July.”

ENDS 

Press enquiries - Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

Greens join calls for a Wealth Tax in the UK

Green Party NI Leader, Senator Mal O’Hara calls for Wealth Tax.

Senator O’Hara said “The Green Party Northern Ireland joins the Scottish, English and Welsh Greens in calling for a Wealth Tax in the UK. A Wealth Tax will only impact the richest 1% of people in the United Kingdom. That is those with wealth of more than £3.4 million. In a cost-of-living crises, an environmental crisis and when public services are shattered after 14 years of Tory austerity, it is only fair to ask those with the broadest shoulders to pay a little bit more in tax.”

Mal continued “ The UK is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but also has one of the largest gaps between the wealthiest and the poorest. During the pandemic, the richest in society expanded their wealth, whilst the poor struggle to make ends meet. It is time for them to pay their fair share. The Wealth Tax and a proper windfall tax on big energy companies who have made record profit in recent years, will bring in a minimum of £75 Billion per annum. This money can be used to rebuild public services, build social homes and fund the climate transition to net zero. While Executive parties have repeatedly ruled out any form of revenue raising, this proposal will provide additional funding for Northern Ireland in the face of huge financial challenges ahead.”

The Green Party NI leader finished by saying “We know the Tories are toast. We know that Labour will win this election. We need a strong group of Green and Independent MPs who will dare Labour to be braver rather than Tory-lite. This policy is a perfect example of this.

If we are serious about a Greener, Cleaner, Fairer UK then this is the type of bold policy proposal that is required.”

ENDS

Press contact; Mal O’Hara 07540 790663.

Further info below.

• Marginal Wealth tax affecting top 1% of households: Wealth taxed at 1% for household wealth above £3.4m, 5% of wealth above £5.7m and 10% on wealth above £18.2m.  These marginal rates only affect the top 1%, 0.5% and 0.1% of households respectively. Analysis from the University of Greenwich shows that this tax would raise over £70 billion a year and potentially up to £130 billion. https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/33819/
• Wealth in this instance includes property assets, pension wealth, physical wealth (cash on hand) and business wealth (investments, shares, etc.)
• Close the loopholes in the conservative’s windfall tax on fossil fuel profits backdated to 2022. This would properly tax fossil fuel and energy companies on the sharp rise in profits during the cost-of-living crisis perpetrated by the volatile global oil and gas markets.
• This would raise an extra £75bn to be used to support low-income households and rebuild crippled public services under the conservative government. This includes a national programme for insulating homes and a renewable energy programme in government control ending the plague of cold homes and expensive energy bills.
• This policy will be implemented in tandem with legislation to crack down on tax avoidance and hiding of wealth.

Election gives voters the opportunity to vote for real climate action with the Greens

Green Party NI leader Mal O'Hara has welcomed the Prime Minister calling a General Election for 4th July 2024.

Senator O'Hara said "After 14 years of Tory rule, which has been dominated by reckless Tory austerity, the dismantling of our vital public services and rolling back on green and environmental commitments, the public are ready to consign this rancid government to the dustbin of history."

"As Greens we will offer a programme around building a new green economy based on reducing bills, creating new jobs and apprenticeships and giving people back a sense of hope, fairness and transparency in politics. We will also highlight the continued failure of the current executive parties to get to grips with governing Northern Ireland and delivering on their committments."

"Voters will be given a choice between real climate action with the Greens, or climate dodging with the executive parties."

ENDS 

Press enquiries - Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

Executive Parties are ‘Climate Chancers’ - Green Party leader

ENDS 

Press enquiries - Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

Senator Mal O'Hara welcomes cross-border rail funding

Green Party Senator Mal O'Hara, welcomed the investment of €165 million in cross-border rail services between Belfast and Dublin.

The PEACEPLUS programme involves modernising the service with brand new trains and improving journey times to under two hours.

Senator O'Hara welcomed the new funding; "This is a hugely important announcement for our Shared Island. This investment will contribute to our net zero ambitions and shows the level of Green ambition to revitalise rail for this century.

"Intercity travel has for too long been dominated by a presumption of private car travel. The ambition to reduce journey times and enhance and electrify the fleet means that more and more people they will be able to choose rail as their method of travel between Belfast and Dublin. We have seen a Green Transport Minister in the Republic change departmental priorities of spend in favour of public transport and I hope to see similar bravery from a Northern Transport Minister so we can live the ambition of the All-Island Rail Review.

"Being able to get an affordable sustainable transport option to travel between cities is so important. It reduces stress and time lost in commute, means that you don’t have to pay for parking or worry about congestion. In 2022, Belfast was the 5th worst congested city in the UK which greater access to intercity travel can help reduce. Congestion means lost hours of productivity for business, it means commuters frustratingly stuck in soulless commutes everyday and it means that residents of Belfast and Dublin experience polluted air. This announcement sets out the ambition to make that step-change."

ENDS 

For further details or to talk to Mal O’Hara please ring Green Party director of communications Tom Molloy on (00353) 086 173 1874 or Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

Mal O'Hara makes history as the first Northern Green to take a seat in Seanad Éireann

Mal O’Hara became the newest member of the Seanad and Green Party Ireland's fifth senator at a short ceremony in Leinster House today (April 8th). O’Hara is leader of Green Party Northern Ireland and a former member of Belfast City Council where he was a strong voice for the environment, communities and LGBTQ+ rights. He was accompanied by his husband and family members, friends and Green Party TDs and Ministers as he was made a senator.

Speaking at Leinster House, Senator O’Hara said;

“I am honoured and humbled to become a senator today. I am proud to make history as the first Northern Green to take a seat in Seanad Éireann. It is vital that there is Northern representation, and I am pleased that all parties recognised that need for representation and did not contest me.

I am a former city councillor, a former Harbour Commissioner, and a former board member of two mental health charities. My two decades in the community and voluntary sector along with a life-long commitment as an activist, means I can represent all traditions from Northern Ireland as a fair arbiter.

I look forward to joining a strong Green team in the Oireachtas and working with colleagues in Government and cross-party to continue to fight for social and environmental justice.”

O’Hara comes from North Belfast and has been the Leader of the Green Party Northern Ireland since August 2022. Before entering politics, he worked in the community and voluntary sector for almost two decades, addressing inequality and building peace in the most deprived areas of Belfast. He was previously the health manager at Ireland’s largest LGBTQ+ organisation, is the former Vice-Chair of the Equal Marriage Campaign in the North, was a board member for both a local and regional mental health charity and a former Harbour Commissioner.

Senator O’Hara was welcomed by Senator Roisin Garvey, Leader of the Green Party in the Seanad;

“As an all-Ireland party, it is great to have a strong voice from Belfast with vast experience in the community sector join our Green team in the Seanad.”

ENDS 

For further details or to talk to Mal O’Hara please ring Green Party director of communications Tom Molloy on (00353) 086 173 1874 or Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

Mal O’Hara is likely to be successfully elected to the Seanad

The Green Party today (Monday March 25th) welcomed the news that Mal O’Hara is likely to be successfully elected to the Seanad unopposed.

This would make him the party’s fifth sitting Senator. O’Hara is leader of the Green Party Northern Ireland and has been a community activist for the environment, communities and LGBTQ+ rights.

Leader of Green Party Northern Ireland, Mal O’Hara said;

“It is important that a Northern Ireland voice remains in the Seanad. I believe that with my background as an activist, my almost two decades in the community and voluntary sector, my time as a Belfast City Councillor, as a Harbour Commissioner and board member of mental health charities, I can authentically advocate on behalf of all communities. I will ensure that all voices from Northern Ireland are amplified in the Seanad."

“The Green Party is the only all-island cross community party. I am excited about joining a strong Green Party Oireachtas team and working with our colleagues in Government and cross-bench to achieve a socially and environmentally just society. “

O’Hara comes from North Belfast and has been the Leader of the Green Party Northern Ireland since 2022. Before entering politics, he worked in the community and voluntary sector for almost two decades, addressing inequality and building peace in the most deprived areas of Belfast. He was previously the health manager at Ireland’s largest LGBTQ+ organisation, is the former Vice-Chair of the Equal Marriage Campaign in the North, was a board member for both a local and regional mental health charity and a former Harbour Commissioner.

Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan said;

“I am delighted that Mal is set to be nominated to Seanad Eireann and will be joining our other strong and effective Green senators in the upper house of the Oireachtas. As leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland, Mal will bring a unique all-island perspective to the Seanad, as an extension of the inclusiveness that he has shown in his political and work careers to date.

“As a community worker, activist and a politician, Mal has worked tirelessly to promote peace, prosperity, tolerance, climate and social justice across different political, social and cultural divides. I look forward to the positive contributions he will make, not just in the Seanad itself, but to politics in general and this island’s social and economic progress over the coming year.”

Senator Roisin Garvey, Leader of the Green Party in the Seanad, welcomed the newest member;

“As Green Party Leader in the Seanad, it is great to see our team of four now set to expand to five. With the climate and biodiversity emergency effecting everything from flooding to food production and air and water quality, the more strong voices we have the better, and Mal O’Hara’s background in community activism will be a big help to us and our all Ireland party representation.”

The Green Party announced earlier this month that it had nominated O’Hara to contest the Seanad by-election caused by the resignation of Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile. Reports today reveal that no other candidate from any other party has been nominated. His appointment is set to follow certain formalities which are likely to take place on April 8.

ENDS 

For further details or to talk to Mal O’Hara please ring Green Party director of communications Tom Molloy on (00353) 086 173 1874 or Mal O'Hara on 07540790663 

Green Party nominates Mal O’Hara as Seanad candidate

The Green Party has nominated Mal O’Hara as the party’s next Seanad candidate. If elected, he would be the first elected senator who classified himself politically in the North as “other” which means he does not exclusively represent either nationalist nor unionist traditions. It would also ensure that Northern representation continues.

O’Hara is the leader of Green Party Northern Ireland where he is a strong voice for the environment, communities and LGBT rights. He was nominated by the Green Party’s Seanad Election Task Force and the Executive Committee and will now be the party’s candidate when the Seanad fills the position created by the resignation of Sinn Fein’s Niall Ó Donnghaile.

The Green Party currently has four senators in the upper house: Pippa Hackett, Pauline O’Reilly, Roisin Garvey and Vincent Martin.

O’Hara comes from North Belfast and has been the Leader of the Green Party Northern Ireland since August 2022. He was deputy leader from 2019. Before entering politics, he worked in the community and voluntary sector for almost two decades,  addressing inequality and building peace in the most deprived areas of Belfast. He was previously the health manager at Ireland’s largest LGBTQ+ organisation, is the former Vice-Chair of the Equal Marriage Campaign in the North, was a board member for both a local and regional mental health charity and a former Harbour Commissioner.

Party leader Eamon Ryan said today that: “Mal’s nomination is a proud moment for the Green Party both north and south of the border and strengthens the all-island nature of our party. As a senator, Mal could be a strong voice for all communities across the North as well as the disadvantaged, the LGBT community and, of course, the environment.”

ENDS

For further details or to talk to Mal O’Hara please ring Green Party director of communications Tom Molloy on +353 86 173 1874