Dubsky ‘enriched’ by elective process

HAVING witnessed democracy in action and spent a day grappling with the complexities of the Irish elective system Karin Dubsky was full of enthusiasm at St Joseph’s Community Centre on Saturday evening.

Eliminated after the third count the Green Party candidate said it had been an ‘enriching’ experience and one which we as a nation should look to share with the world.

‘It was very, very enriching, I met so many amazing people. And I just know so much more about our democracy now, I had never been in a count centre and I love the way it’s done.

‘We should advertise it, like going to Newgrange, tourists should pay a high price. I’d say you could sell places at it. I want students to come, everybody should see it.’

Having gained 2,490 first preference votes Dubsky polled fifth overall in what was her first appearance as a candidate. And she was heartened by the response she received from voters in the county.

‘I want to really thank people who voted for me, because I came into so many yards out of nowhere.

‘Quite often they weren’t even expecting me, and to still consider me and give me time, so many people gave me time to discuss issues. I’m very grateful,’ she said.

And she had a special message for one demographic in particular.

‘I would really encourage young people who sat at home and told me the world won’t change, well it will change if they come out,’ she said.

Although the Green Party continues to gain traction nationally it is still very much in the minority in terms of Dáil seats, and Ms Dubsky said it was incumbant on the other, more established, parties to ensure the future of the planet was in safe hands.

‘We need the others, like Labour, to push faster, it’s not that the big parties won’t move, it’s just that it’s like a juggernaut, it goes too slow. Now we need fast action,’ she said.

On her own future, Dubsky said it was difficult to say whether she would run again.

‘I don’t really know, I will have to discuss with others, so many people, my family were so incredibly kind and put so much effort in. I don’t know if I can ask them to do this again unless I was to do well enough.’

One thing she was more certain of however, was the need to rid our countryside of election posters.

‘I didn’t have them this time and it didn’t kill me,’ she said. ‘We have enough social media now, enough media in general, to get the word out. We don’t need to plaster the countryside with plastic.’