Party leader Eamon Ryan today launched the campaign for Green Candidate Seán Ó Buachalla. "Coming two years into the life of this Government, the Meath East by-election gives the electorate a chance to demand real political reform. A vote for Green Party candidate Seán Ó Buachalla will be the best way to promote more honest politics with a clear vision for our future."

"Honest politics starts when parties outside Government stop playing opposition politics for the sake of it.  When the Government gets it right in implementing our four year recovery plan then we will acknowledge it and support them.  When they stick to politics as usual, serving vested rather than national interests, then we will be the first to hold them to account."

"What we have not yet seen is a change in the political culture which got us into trouble in the first place. Fine Gael and Labour have reverted to spending public money in a very party-political way. They both made promises in opposition that they could never keep, nor do they have a long term vision as to where our country needs to go."

"The communities that have grown up in Meath over the last decade know all about the cost that comes with short term planning. The Green Party remains committed to the development of those communities in a better, more sustainable and social way. We must address the worst of our budget and banking problems, but we also need a new economic model that provides employment and prosperity that lasts in a much more sustainable way."

"Seán Ó Buachalla has real experience in such long term planning.  As one of the founders of a new Gaelscoil in the area and as a community Youth Development Officer, he has an active role in making change happen.  We need politics of reform now and we need a vision for the future.  A vote for the Seán Ó Buachalla in this by-election will put some Green common sense thinking into that mix."