Greenway a priority for Laois Green on historic Portlaoise mission

A Laois Greenway is one of the priorities of a Green Party representative who is planning to make a historic election breakthrough next year.

Rosie Palmer's bid to become the first ever Green Party Laois councillor got underway in Abbeyleix. The launch was attended by Ministers Pippa Hackett and Malcolm Noonan, party members as well as members of local community groups, local business owners, and family and friends.

Ms Palmer, who is contesting in the Portlaoise Municipal District, said she wants healthy futures with clean air, inclusive health care and safe public spaces with accessible amenities. She also committed to tackling vacancy and dereliction.

“I want to be a councillor in the community, for the community,” she said, inviting attendees to share their visions for a Green councillor.

“My priorities are your priorities, from the smaller ones, right up to getting a Greenway in Laois. As one of the last remaining counties not to draw down Greenway funding, this is certainly one issue I am committed to working to change” she said.
Minister Hackett, said the candidate has the experience and knowledge.

Ms Palmer will face stiff resistance in her bid to claim one of the seven seats on offer in the Portlaoise area where most of the sitting councillors are town-based. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

“Rosie is my Parliamentary Assistant; not only is she already working in the field, but she has been an active volunteer in her community for several years, so she knows what the community wants to see delivered locally. She is enthusiastic, collaborative and understands the need for hard work, conversation and compromise,” said the Senator.

Minister Noonan, who has responsibility for Nature, Biodiversity and Election Reform, noted that Abbeyleix was a fitting location for the launch as a heritage town with much to offer. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

“In 2024, the Green Party will run over 150 candidates in the Local Election. We need to populate every local authority in Ireland with Green councillors, because they can make a significant difference at a local level and I know that Rosie does exceptional work for her area,” he said.

Sinn Féin is also targeting a gain in the town and launched a record-sized team recently for all Laois districts.