Green Party’s Bláithín offering an holistic vision
BLÁITHÍN Gallagher, the Green Party candidate, says she has a holistic vision for Ireland.
This revolves around: People - creating communities that are fair and inclusive especially for our most vulnerable; Planet - immediate action re climate and biodiversity emergencies; Prosperity -work with farm families and small business to incentive a green economy; Peace - address the root causes of crime and conflict; and Partnership - involve all people in making decisions relevant to their lives while leaving no-one behind.
The Mohill native grew up in a farming family where her father was a vet.
She now lives in Creevelea, near Drumkeeran, where she reared two children, both now attending third level.
The middle child of nine, she is an experienced negotiator and a qualified mediator and says these are skills she will use if elected to the Dáil.
She says she has never been afraid to speak the truth or tackle issues head on.
“No one problem can be solved on its own. Indeed by tackling issues in isolation, and without talking to all involved, you can often do harm elsewhere.,” she says.
If elected, Blaithin says she will push hard to ensure real public participation in decision-making regarding social, economic and environmental policies and programmes.
Working with people she intends to build a strong voice in the North West to safeguard the environment and protect biodiversity.
Whatever government is elected she says she will provide a strong rural voice to ensure it looks after this country, “and our land for future generations.”
It’s Bláithín’s first campaign and she is focussing on an accessible health service, productive and biodiverse farming, sustainable forestry and increased public transport in the Sligo/Leitrim constituency.