Greens announce Dublin-heavy front bench

The Greens have announced a new front bench, with Dublin councillors featuring heavily in the line-up.

After November’s general election, the party was reduced from 12 TDs and 2 Senators to 1 TD and 1 Senator.

As such, the new Green front bench has a number of former TDs who currently do not hold office.

However, party leader Roderic O’Gorman said, “this is a frontbench with a strong mix of experience and new perspectives — from recently elected councillors, former Ministers of State, and seasoned local representatives. It reflects a strong balance of regional voices and gender representation across the country.”

“We have already seen the new Government roll back some key environmental and climate measures,” the Dublin West TD said.

“While the country faces a period of constrained public finances due to Trump’s economic policies, we must fight to ensure that previous commitments on climate action are not among the first areas to be slashed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Regional Independents in future Budgets.”

“I am confident that our new frontbench will fight to keep climate and nature on the political agenda by rigorously holding this Government to account on these critical issues,” he said.

Of the 24 positions, 13 are from the Dublin wing of the party.

The new Green Party frontbench, with their Dublin connections in bold

Leader: Roderic O’Gorman TD (Dublin West TD)

Northern Ireland & Shared Island: Mal O’Hara

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence: Cllr Janet Horner (North Inner City councillor)

European Affairs: Ciarán Cuffe (former MEP for Dublin)

Finance: Cllr. Michael Pidgeon (South-West Inner City councillor)

Public Expenditure Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform, Digitalisation & Media: Cllr Hazel Chu (Pembroke councillor) 

Enterprise, Tourism & Employment: Cllr Rob Jones (Dundrum councillor)

Health: Cllr Carolyn Moore (Kimmage-Rathmines councillor)

Arts and Culture: Cllr Donna Cooney (Clontarf councillor)

Sport & Youth: Cllr Honore Kamegni

Climate, Communications & Energy: Ossian Smyth (former TD for Dún Laoghaire)

Environment: Cllr Seán Hartigan

Transport: Cllr Feljin Jose (Cabra-Glasnevin councillor)

Balanced Regional Development: Brian Leddin

Housing: Cllr Oliver Moran

Local Government and Planning: Cllr Oisín O’Connor (Glencullen-Sandyford councillor)

Agriculture, Food, the Marine, Heritage and Nature: Senator Malcolm Noonan

Education: Cllr Conor Dowling (Blackrock councillor)

Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Cllr Eva Dowling (Stillorgan councillor)

Social Protection: Cllr Lauren Tuite (Killiney-Shankill councillor)

Rural and Community Development, the Gaeltacht and Gaeilge: Róisín Garvey

Children & Equality: Cllr Lourda Scott

Disability: Cllr Maria Dollard

Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Patrick Costello (former TD for Dublin South Central)