I don’t have much more than a passing interest in politics and I don’t have a loyalty to any particular party. But while I do recognise those individuals who genuinely work hard for the benefit of their constituents, there are others that just do my head in. Eamon Ryan, Leader of the Green Party, is one of those guys.
There are certain noises that can grate your nerve endings and hurt your teeth. Like the sound of nails being scraped across a blackboard, feedback on a public address system, Daniel O’Donnel or poor old Eamon screeching about the imminent death of the environment.
Since the last election when the Green Party was wiped out, the environment has largely been left to fend for itself. I haven’t missed John Gormley or Eamon in the least but sadly for me, some of that is about to change. In an article published recently in The Sunday Independent, Eamon announced that his team is ready to contest the forthcoming election.
He’s probably a very nice character in real life but I get the impression that he’s watching me and he wants to make me feel guilty. He makes me feel like I should be wearing a shirt made of leaves and I should ride a Raleigh Chopper to the local store in the rain to buy some seeds for my allotment where I should grow my veg that I should eat raw. And I should eat on the floor because if I use a chair, Eamon will blame me for destroying some rain forest in South America.
In actual fact I don’t own a bike. I drive a Mazda CX5, 2.2 litre diesel and I love it. It’s powerful, comfortable and it’s high off the ground which makes it easier for me to get in and out of with my dodgy back. Eamon wants to make me feel guilty for that too and I can appreciate that public transport is a must for lots of people but it is highly unlikely that you will ever see me on a bicycle or the 15A or 23C wherever they go.
I want to see a proper road network system which will allow motorists to get around the country with relative ease and if that means upsetting some rare three legged pink spotted toad living under a rock on the proposed route. Then I’m sorry Mr. Toad but just go take a hike.
On a serious note there is, no doubt, a global issue here that needs to be addressed and the environment needs to be considered. There is something askew when our winters are getting warmer than our summers and there are parts of the country that are literally struggling to keep their heads above water. Polar bears are getting tans and that can’t be good. The recent snow storm in America broke all sorts of records for its severity and Europe too has seen extremes of weather.
The Green Party website states that following the devastation caused by the flooding across the country, their party is urging the Office of Public Works and Minister of State Harris to ring fence a portion of capital monies for flood defence schemes towards community led catchment management projects. Not too sure what that means exactly.
The Green Party Environment Spokesperson, Cllr Malcolm Noonan, says that ‘soft’ engineering solutions exist that represent value for money, are ecologically sound and give ownership to local communities and in particular the farming community to solutions. He says that local knowledge and stewardship is critical to successful projects in other countries. I’m stumped here again I’m afraid.
They see merit in using natural attenuation, planting of broadleaf trees, natural revetment and other less intensive projects as being viable. ‘We need to restore natural ecosystems and habitats and work with nature’ he said. These Greens seem to have an issue with using regular English but I did notice that they have a secret weapon.
On their website they have a statement proclaiming that a professional surfer is aiming to get into politics and to ride the Green Party wave. Fergal Smith is set to contest Clare constituency in General Election 2016.
In a statement he says ”I am running for the Green Party, for my daughter and all Irish children. We all appreciate the major problems our children are going to have to deal with, but perhaps less apparent is that the solutions for them already exist. The next generation needs leaders who are not afraid to lead them into these changing times. My priority is the environment; without healthy soil nothing exists: trees, vegetables, grass, grazing animals and their produce”.
Their spokesperson on Justice states that Ireland’s justice system is in need of reform and that requires new thinking about how we tackle crime in all sectors of society. Crimes against women and children in particular must be taken more seriously. The Green Party believes in a justice system that reforms offenders as well as punishes them.
You see, that’s why I have a difficulty with the Greens. Many of their statements are fluffy and wooly. Saying that the justice system is in need of reform is a bit like saying that the sky should be blue for longer periods. We know that but how do you make it happen? Maybe the surfer knows. And if he should get elected maybe he will cycle to the Dail…in a wetsuit.