This article is from page 13 of the 2006-08-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
CLARE is one of six constituencies being actively targeted by the Green party in the next General Election.
As it officially unveiled its Clare candidate, Cllr Brian Meaney, the party said it “should take seats in Clare, Wicklow, Galway West, Carlow-Kilkenny, Dublin North-East and Louth”.
This would ensure a doubling of the number of Green TDs already in the Dáil.
The Clare councillor is not perturbed by suggestions that rural counties such as Clare are often put off by perceived Green Party policy.
“I know that there is a lot of negative campaigning going on in relation to me and the Green Party here in Clare, but I ask people to treat with suspicion the whispers of those who view me as a threat,” he said.
The outspoken councillor said farm incomes had fallen and Clare farmers had to work longer and harder for less.
“Farmers are fearful that the Greens are anti farming, well I want to make it very clear that I and the Greens see the production of food as far more than the hobby activity the other parties have relegated it to.”
Chairman of the Green Party in Clare, Gerry Murtagh, said the Green candidate was the popular choice among the membership in Clare.
“His record of political activity to date is exemplary and while his comments may raise eyebrows at times, his motivation to seek further involvement in public life is beyond reproach. The people of Clare need more than a populist representative, who you can drink pints with and is good at going to funerals.
“Our representatives need the ability to engage with the legislative process and plan for the future of the constituency and the country. We believe that Cllr Meaney has those abilities.”
This will be Cllr Meaney’s third general election.