Structures of the Green Party

Local groups and policy adoption

The Green Party is organised on a countrywide constituency basis. Virtually all policy decisions have to be circulated to local groups, and agreed by them. Subsequently, each local group is entitled to send a delegate to the National Council meetings, which meet at least four times per year to discuss and adopt policy. Policy decisions are usually taken by consensus but under certain circumstances may be referred to a vote and where necessary the 'Preferendum' voting procedure is used.

Spokespersons

Party spokesperson, who are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis by the Coordinating Committee mirror the various Government departments. Spokespersons are usually, but not always, elected representatives. Party spokespersons are responsible for updating policy, organizing policy workshops and communicating green policy to the media through the party press office.

The Executive Committee

The party's National Executive Committee, is elected annually by National Convention and is responsible for ensuring the medium and long-term development and expansion of the Party. Once the NEC is elected at Convention it is up to the Committee to elect its National Coordinator. Members of the NEC include the National Coordinator, two of the party's TDs, and the party treasurer.

Decentralisation

The other principle which the Greens put into practice is decentralisation – that is, having decisions made at the lowest effective level. The party is divided into four regional groupings: Dublin, East, South and North West.

There is a strong emphasis on local group decision-making rather than by central committee. For example, the local group is wholly responsible for the choosing of candidates. However the Dáil Constituency Groups are required to adopt and adhere to the party constitution and the principles governing party activities.

Activity and involvement

Party structures are designed to ensure that the average member can get involved in a refreshingly wide range of activities. Members are encouraged to participate in both policy and practical political activities. The Greens also practice positive discrimination to ensure gender equality.

A new politics

The Green Party represents a new way of perceiving, experiencing and interacting with the political process, from the very local to the utterly global. For most, being a member of the Greens is immensely challenging requiring a continuous creative interaction and a constant refining of political objectives, tactics and beliefs. Green politics is about being part of 'the new within the old.'

As recent elections have shown, the Green approach is effective. The party's electoral mandate has increased steadily and consistently over successive elections. The Green Party is represented on Town Councils, District Councils, Local Authorities, in Dáil and Seanad Éireann, and in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Ideals exist. Solutions exist. We have the solutions