Eva Dowling
The pandemic has shown us that systemic change is possible. A more environmentally friendly community is a healthier and happier one. Now is the time to make change happen to enhance our communities and to preserve our planet for the next generation.
I was first elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 2019.
Since being elected I have worked for the prioritisation of childcare facilities in residential developments, ensured that a ‘night-time economy’ policy was included in the County Development Plan and fought for safe, segregated cycle lanes across the County.
In addition to my work on the Council, I work as an advisor to Minister Ossian Smyth, TD. I ran for a seat on the NUI Panel in the 2020 Seanad elections.
Housing – There is no place for derelict or vacant sites and properties in our community. I will continue to support the penalisation of these sites, and the prioritisation of social and affordable housing.
Active Travel – Prioritising walking and cycling benefits everyone. I will continue to fight to protect and expand active travel routes, making it safer for children to walk and cycle to school, and reducing pressure on our roads.
Community and Culture – I believe that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown should be a fun place to live. This means supporting artists, protecting and growing our public amenities and improving our night-time economy offering.
Climate Action – I want the greener choice to be the easier choice in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. This means an efficient transport network, improved recycling facilities, promoting retrofitting and support for repair hubs.
A more progressive political system – I have experienced first-hand how difficult working as a public representative is as a new mother. I have repeatedly called for maternity and paternity leave for local representatives and will continue to fight to remove barriers to entry into politics for everyone.
My Experience
As a member of the Green Party, I have long fought for climate action and have prioritised a scientific approach to policymaking. I campaigned for equality as the co-founder of the ‘Scientists for Yes’ platform and as a consultant in the ‘Together for Yes’ campaign to repeal the 8th Amendment.
I am a lifelong advocate for animal welfare, and have campaigned against bullfighting and all cruelty to animals. I have been vegan for more than a decade. I am a mother to two young children. I have used my role as a County Councillor to make it easier and safer to breastfeed in public.
I spent over a decade working as a science communicator across the public and private sectors. Science has a crucial role to play in policymaking and in climate action. The pandemic has laid bare the dangers of misinformation, tackling Covid-19 and climate change requires tackling this misinformation.
I am graduate of University College Dublin and the University of Edinburgh.
