My vision for Laois-Offaly
I love living in the Midlands – it has so much to offer. I envisage a more diverse environment to live in: vibrant towns and villages, beautiful countryside and a range of facilities designed to engage the whole community.
What I stand for
I stand for fairness and doing the right thing. I’m tired of complacency and the “it’ll be grand” attitude. I like to lead by example and would not expect anyone to do something I have not done myself. I would like to be able to inspire others to do the best they can for themselves, their families, their communities and for the environment in which we all share and live.
My priorities
My priorities for Laois and Offaly are centred on community. I see the huge value of having a vibrant community to live and work in, to raise families, to exercise, to socialise and to enjoy life.
- Vibrant towns & villages: We have many lovely towns and villages, but some are in great need of renewal and revitalisation.
- Natural environment and heritage: There is much potential in the Midlands to improve our biodiversity, water and other natural resources, and our communities are central to this.
- Farmers and farmland: It is important to support and protect farmers – to have proper consultation and support for public services, e.g. the Shannon Pipeline Project and Greenways. Develop environmental projects with local farmers, specific to this area.
- Opportunities for physical activity: I see the huge value physical activity and exercise has in people’s lives. Simple and effective initiatives can improve this; I would love to see a publicly available running track in both Laois and Offaly.
- Animal Welfare: Often overlooked, animal welfare is a huge community issue. There is much potential for welfare projects (local authority, schools or community based) which deal with many of these issues, being piloted here in Laois and Offaly.
My experience
I hold a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Essex, a postgraduate diploma from University College Dublin, and a PhD from the University of Limerick. I took leave from academic research and lecturing to raise my family. I live on a mixed organic farm (suckler cows, sheep, hens and horses) with my husband Mark and four young children, near Geashill in Co Offaly, close to the Laois border. I’m activity involved in many community-based and schools projects in both counties. These roles include youth club secretary and leader, local newsletter editor, Mountlucas parkrun director, and board member of local sports committees.
Latest activities
Meet your new Green Ministerial Team
Greens welcome decision by BNM to end peat extraction and begin bog rehabilitation
Irish Agriculture needs to embrace and work with EU’s Green Deal strategies
Recent cold weather effects on apple crops show need for climate resilient Agri-Food policies
Greens call for tougher law enforcement and effective supports against wildlife crime
Greater financial supports needed for farm families
Greens reiterate call for new model of forestry as we move forward
Greens call for Covid testing of workforces at all food processing plants
Green Party Spokespeople
Bord na Móna must act to protect all its workers and ensure a Just Transition – Greens
Allotments and Farmers’ Markets need to be designated as essential services
Greens call on Minister Harris to recognise allotments as essential food outlets
Green Party nominees Pippa Hackett and Pauline O’Reilly elected to the Seanad
Support farmers to provide the food we need during this crisis – Greens
Pauline O’Reilly, Pippa Hackett, and Saoirse McHugh are Green Party nominees for the Seanad
Trees, rewetting bogs, and better land management are needed to prevent flooding – Greens
Supporting livelihoods, improving services, building community: the Green Party’s ten-year plan for rural Ireland
Greens say Government must be held to account for crisis in beef farming
Greens call for review of organic farming scheme applications
Just Transition needs to be more than just a pay-out it needs to provide a future for communities – Greens
Greens welcome the election of Pippa Hackett to the Seanad
Pet owners should be extra cautious during Halloween – Greens
The Government’s Climate strategy is not working and has to radically change
Change in Irish forestry is coming as Green Party motion gets cross party support
Minister Madigan needs to keep the ban on netting hares – Greens
Ireland needs strong supports for communities impacted by the move away from fossil fuels – Greens
Green Party launch Cllr Pippa Hackett as candidate for the Seanad by-election
Farmers should take back control of their farming futures – Greens
Reject Mercosur unless Amazon and Irish farmers can be protected – Greens
How we use land is contributing to climate change – we need a National Land Use Plan: Greens
The Beef Plan Movement’s protests are well into their second week – it’s time Minister Creed got involved: Greens
If the Minister understands that nature is in crisis she should repeal the Heritage Act: Greens
EU-Mercosur deal is deeply damaging for the environment and for Irish agriculture: Greens
Greens welcome new ‘Coillte Nature’ initiative; call for scheme to be extended
Climate Action Plan offers little to address problems facing agriculture – Greens
Live export is unethical and in its current form needs to stop: Greens
Irish Rail stop the destruction of wildlife during breeding season: Greens
Time to put our farmers first, not Big Agri
Scientific advice to reduce meat consumption must come as a wake-up call for Government: Greens
Greens Welcome Re-Opening of Organic Farming Scheme
Greens Seeking ‘Just Transition’ to a Climate-Friendly Economy
Keep Your Pets Safe This Halloween Night
Maintain Jobs and Kickstart the Midlands Energy Transition
Irish Agriculture Faces a Mammoth Task
Green Party’s Hackett warns of anaerobic pitfalls
Green Party supports ‘Stop Live Export!’ protest
Sainsburys – Asda merger ‘likely to have a serious knock-on effect on Irish agriculture’