Green Party candidate Iva Pocock launches Local Election campaign
Iva Pocock launched her Local Election campaign in the Thomas MacDonagh Museum in Cloughjordan last Thursday, March 21.
Over 60 people joined her and Green Party colleague Brian Leddin, TD to mark the start of her campaign for a seat on Tipperary County Council.
Earlier in the day Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food & Foresty, who was visiting Cloughjordan, welcomed the launch of Iva’s campaign for the Nenagh Local Electoral Area.
The MC for the evening, Annemarie Nugent, began by presenting a series of photos that captured Iva’s life, her experience and achievements as an environmental and community activist and journalist here and abroad.
Pocock began her address to the packed venue by expressing her gratitude to those who built the museum, which was created to honour and promote the life of Cloughjordan’s own Thomas MacDonagh, who gave his life for Irish freedom.
THREE PRIORITIES
Iva said she had three priorities: housing, transport and biodiversity.
“On housing, securing affordable, warm, energy efficient homes for all, with security of tenure, is critical. I will work to bring vacant and derelict houses and buildings into use, and to facilitate new-build homes in our towns and villages. We need far more ambition and innovation in delivering homes in the Nenagh area,” said Iva. “As a councillor I will work to introduce new housing models to the county such as cost-rental housing championed by the Green Party and delivered in Limerick, Cork and Dublin. And I will continue to push for a solution to the lack of sewage treatment capacity in Cloughjordan and other villages.”
TRANSPORT
“In Nenagh currently two thirds of journeys under 2km are done by car. There’s an excellent local transport plan just adopted that sets out a way of changing this and I will work assiduously to implement the plan, helping to get school kids safely walking and cycling and generally creating a network of safe joined-up routes.
“In the wider area I will push for the adoption of ‘Rothar Roads’, in which key minor rural roads are reclassified as roads where bicycles and pedestrians are expected and respected.
“I will continue to support the expansion and enhancement of Local Links and public transport. I know there’s a lot more to be done but the Greens have put paid to the old trope that there’s no public transport in rural Ireland. Fares have been slashed by 50% for 17-25 year olds and 20% for adults. I think the new Lakeside Local Link will be transformational for teenagers heading to the lake in the summer. Thanks to the work of the Nenagh Rail Partnership we have an upgraded track. I will push for an upgraded service on the line.”
BIODIVERSITY
Iva said that she is passionate about our natural world and working to reverse the decline in species and habitats. “I will work to protect nature, including Lough Derg and its tributaries, and to facilitate the enjoyment of the outdoors,” she said.
“When it comes to farming I believe farmers, more than anyone, know the challenges of climate change. The top threats we face in Tipperary according to the County Climate Action Plan are flooding, drought and extreme weather events. Farmers know the reality of working in all weathers better than anyone. Farmers need support to deliver a resilient food system which keeps them making a decent living. They need to be better rewarded for biodiversity and carbon storage on their farms including protecting hedgerows which are vital for flood control, shelter and shade.”
Iva highlighted the need for greater female representation in politics. “Here in Tipperary only nine of the 40 councillors are women. In the Nenagh Local Electoral Area all five seats are currently held by men. I want to be part of changing this.”
Addressing the gathering Brian Leddin TD said: “In Iva I think we have someone who is very good and I think that bodes well for Cloughjordan, for Tipperary and indeed for Ireland.”