Press release

New Green Party Councillor, Kate Ruddock, selected for Blackrock

1st December 2022
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Kate Ruddock

The Green Party has selected Kate Ruddock to be the new Councillor for the Blackrock Electoral Area, following the departure of outgoing Green Party Councillor Seafra O’Faoláin.

Cllr. Ruddock thanked the Dún Laoghaire Greens for the selection, stating; 

“I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to represent the Green Party for Blackrock. Former Councillor Seafra O’Faoláin has done a terrific job to further Green priorities in this area, and I hope to build on his work at the council level. Of course, Minister Ossian Smyth has also been heavily involved in the local council here for many years prior to his election.

“Locally I will be working hard to support cycling and walking infrastructure as well as public transport routes. We got a taste of the calm that comes from reduced car use during Covid, and I have been delighted to see the increased pedestrianisation of Blackrock main street as well as the coastal cycle route all the way to Dún Laoghaire village. I believe we can reinvigorate this area and make sure our spaces are designed for people of all ages, genders and abilities to meet, work and play.

“We live in a great place, but we can do better. We can make sure we build appropriate housing for families, for those downsizing, and for single people. We need public toilets, more on street recycling and dog waste bins. We need rapid response water quality testing in the sea, and can prevent pollution from entering the sea. On the whole, we can make sure every decision we make is climate and nature proofed and be prepared for the challenges ahead.”

Minister Ossian Smyth TD welcomed the selection in his constituency; 

“I would like to congratulate Kate on her co-option to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Kate is a prominent activist in the Blackrock area and is well known across the community from her work locally, campaigning for better cycling infrastructure as well as safer routes to school.

“She has an extensive professional background working on environmental issues. It has never been more important to have public representatives who understand and prioritise the climate and biodiversity crisis that we are facing. Kate brings a wealth of knowledge and professional experience to help achieve this kind of transformative change at Council level. I look forward to our continued working together for the people of Blackrock.”

Kate has worked as a researcher in the Oireachtas for Green TDs and Senators since the formation of the current Government in 2020. Prior to this Kate served as Deputy Director of Friends of the Earth, Board Director of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and Chair of the Irish Environmental Network. She has also served as a representative for the National Economic and Social Council and the Eirgrid Advisory Board.

Cllr. Ruddock joins Green Councillors Eva Dowling, Oisín O’Connor, Una Power, Daniel Dunne and Tom Kivlehan on the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

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