Green Party Convention 13-14 July
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LEADING THE CHANGE 2019 BLACKHALL PLACE GREEN PARTY12 - 15 JULYCONVENTION 13-142019 JULY WELCOME TO STONEYBATTER! FÁILTE GO BÓTHAR NA GCLOCH! Welcome to Dublin Central! It is 1,200 years since the Vikings first stepped ashore from their longboats onto the muddy northern shores of the River Liffey; just down the road from where we’re holding our Convention. Dublin 7 has long been known for cattle-dealing and glass- making, and in recent years has become a creative hub with cultural and food businesses attracted to the area. You’ll be able to savour hand-made ice-cream from Christiano in Sorrento’s chipper, or a flat white from Love Supreme. The Lilliput Press is just around the corner off Arbour Place, and Bí Urban is an amazing studio for social creativity on Manor Street. The National Museum at Collins Barracks is nearby, as are the graves of the 1916 leaders. In 1997 I ran in the General Election here before being elected in 2002 in Dún Laoghaire. Cllr. Neasa Hourigan now represents Cabra and Glasnevin just up the road, and is our candidate for the next General Election. Cllr. Michael Pidgeon’s ward is a stone’s throw away across the river. As a councillor here for the last five years I have focussed on making the city easier to get around, tackling disadvantage, and the housing crisis. Recently the City Council has upgraded older persons’ housing at St. Bricin’s off Arbour Hill to a Passive House standard. Plans for the Liffey Cycle route are in the pipeline, as are proposals to regenerate the nearby Fruit and Vegetable Markets. The Greens are now the second largest party on the City Council, and we’re looking forward to progressing lots of initiatives over the next five years. As Dublin’s new MEP I’ll be working closely with my council colleagues to make Dublin a green and fairer city for all, and achieving a just transition. Ciarán Cuffe MEP Dublin Central Green Party Local area tips: National Museum of Ireland/Collins Barracks, Arbour Hill Cemetery. Phoenix Park (Visitor Centre, Rent a bike, Farmleigh House, Prehistoric Burial Chamber), Dublin Zoo and Jameson Distillery. For more info visit www.smithfieldandstoneybatter.ie 1 WELCOME FÁILTE Dear Green Colleagues, Welcome to our 2019 annual Convention. We had a great result in the recent elections, both North and South, and now is the time for us to live up to that vote. We must work together at the local, national and international level to advance a Green New Deal which delivers a just transition. That requires a new economy which builds community and restores natural capital and social justice at the same time. Our new councillors are already working to deliver the sort of system change we need at a local level. The job this weekend is to grow our own party to support that work and to prepare for the next general election. We are in a climate and biodiversity emergency. We need everyone to play their part in responding to that challenge. It’s time to go to action stations. Welcome aboard. Eamon Ryan TD Party Leader A chara ghlais, Céad míle fáilte go Baile Átha Cliath. Welcome to Convention 2019! I am looking forward to meeting all of you, new members and old, this weekend. This is a very important time for the Green movement, in Ireland, in Europe, and worldwide. The Green Wave that arrived with the Local and European Elections in May showed just how much the people of Ireland want action in tackling climate change. We have more Councillors than ever before, on Councils from Clare to Dublin, Waterford to Galway, Kilkenny to Cork, Limerick to Kildare, Ards and North Down, Lisburn and Castlereagh, Wicklow, Belfast and Westmeath. There are Irish Green voices in Europe once again in our brilliant MEPs Grace O’Sullivan and Ciarán Cuffe. Now the work really begins, in Councils across the country and in the European Parliament, to start implementing those green policies that the people of Ireland voted for. To prioritise active transport, protect biodiversity, promote clean energy, stop plastic and other forms of pollution, and to build more just, equal and sustainable communities. There is no party with stronger democratic structures than us – everything we do as we grow as a Party, we will do together. Green voices and green actions are needed now more than ever. It’s up to us to be those voices, to roll up our sleeves ensure that we build those green communities. Let’s go to work, together. Ní neart go cur le chéile. Catherine Martin TD Deputy Leader A chairde, Welcome to Convention! I’m looking forward to meeting many new colleagues and many of our more seasoned ones who I have the pleasure to call friends as well as colleagues. It is exactly that which makes the Greens so special, we are a party of ideas but we are also a party which are united in them forming a community that thrives to make our country a better place. It has been my pleasure to serve as your National Coordinator-Chair of the Executive this year. From last Convention thanks to the stellar work of our staff, volunteers and representatvies from across the country, we have seen the party grow and gain momentum in every area. At the end of this Executive we now have a fully staffed office, two MEPs and forty-nine Councillors. But our aim is to do more. The stakes are higher than ever as the country which has voted Green turns to us for action and leadership. We must work together and turn our ideas into actions. I look forward to spending the weekend discussing and working with you all to make this happen. Hazel Chu National Coordinator 2 CONVENTION INFORMATION EOLAS ARD-FHEISE Law Society of Ireland This year’s Green Party Convention will take place on July 13th & 14th in the historic Law Society of Ireland in Stoneybatter, Dublin. Following the recent success of the local and European elections, we are delighted to be in the heart of the north inner city, an area represented by Ciarán Cuffe, our newly elected MEP. Accessibility There are three points of wheelchair access to the Law Society of Ireland. The door into the lobby of the President’s Hall, where a ramp leads from the entrance lane to the lobby doors. The door in the South Quadrant Garden and subsequently into the South Quadrant Corridor and Members Lounge Area where registration will take place. The door at the corner of the Vanilla Café at the bottom of the Academic St leading to the Green Hall Lecture Theatre is wheelchair accessible and is operated by a keypad. Security will supply the code. The building has a passenger lift for access to the upper floors. The Society has a designated Disabled Parking space available behind the Vanilla Café building-opposite the Green Hall. Also disabled parking can be provided in the main car park outside the main building. Wheelchair accessible toilets are provided past the Blue Room on the ground floor of Blackhall Place and at the rear of the Green Hall. The President’s Hall is fitted with a hearing loop for visitors with impaired hearing. Irish sign language will be provided all Saturday in the President's Hall. On-Site Childcare Childcare will be open to all children attending Convention who have notified us in advance, with no charge for delegates. Childcare will be available from 9am - 6pm on Saturday, and on Sunday from 9am - 1pm in the Green Hall Logia as well as outdoors, weather permitting. A light lunch and snacks will be available on Saturday. Our childcare is provided by a fully qualified childminder. 3 CONVENTION INFORMATION EOLAS ARD-FHEISE Lunch Lunch which has been purchased in advance will be available in the Dining room. If you booked your lunch in advance, please ensure that you bring your ticket which you were provided with at registration on Saturday morning. There will be a limited amount of lunch tickets available to purchase at the Merchandise Stand for €13. This will include soup, a selection of sandwiches and wraps (all vegetarian) and coffee/tea. Convention Dinner The Convention Dinner will be held at 8:15pm on Saturday in the President’s Hall for those who purchased dinner tickets in advance. There will be a very limited number of dinner tickets available to purchase at the Merchandise Stand for €40. Please purchase by 12pm on Saturday (cash only). There is an ATM nearby in Stoneybatter. The menu caters to all tastes and includes vegetarian/vegan options. If you have any Convention Draw special dietary requirements, please inform someone at the Merchandise Stand. The draw is back by popular demand! The Convention draw will take place during dinner on Saturday (after 9:30pm). Tickets cost €5 and are available from the Merchandise Stand. First Prize: €200 Second Prize: €75 Third Prize: €50 Convention Live Room To ensure we can cater for all attendees, a live-feed will be available in the Blue Room throughout the weekend 4 CONVENTION INFORMATION EOLAS ARD-FHEISE Green Party Merchandise Green Party branded merchandise will be available throughout the weekend at the Merchandise Stand next to the President’s Hall. Choose between our trendy rain jackets, Keep-Cups, badges, canvass tote bags and t-shirts. Green Party Hooded Rain Jackets - €30 each Green Party Keep Cups - €10 each Green Party t-shirts - €10 each (Green, Blue, Yellow), €5 each (white) Green Party Canvass Tote Bags - €4 each Green Party Badges - €1 each Registration The Registration Desk will be open on Saturday from 8.30am - 5pm in the Blue Room and on Sunday from 9am - 1pm outside the President’s Hall.