Statement on Gaza Ceasefire

We welcome the long overdue ceasefire and hope to see it made permanent. Aid, water and electricity must be returned to Gaza, alongside justice for lsraeli war crimes.

The Government must

  • Ban visas for Israelis in the Occupied Territories.

  • Freeze Israeli funds held in Irish state institutions.

  • Divest public funds from Israeli bodies and institutions.

  • Pass the Ilegal Israeli Settlements Bill and end trade with illegal Israeli settlements.

  • Ensure that Israel is held to account for its flagrant war crimes.

Israel must

  • End the siege on Gaza and commit to a permanent ceasefire.

  • Allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

  • Obey the International Court of Justice orders and cooperate fully with their investigation.

  • End the occupation of Palestine.

The United States, United Kingdom & European Union must

  • End the sale of arms and military equipment to Israel.

  • End the EU Israel Association Agreement.

  • End trade with illegal Israel settlements and implement sanctions on Israel.

  • Work for a permanent ceasefire and compel Israel to end its illegal occupation.

  • Actively support a two state solution and recognise the state of Palestine

    Óige Ghlas/Young Greens will continue to strongly advocate for the above until we achieve a Free Palestine

Young Greens Secretary Isobel Roche elected to Green Party Excecutive Comittee

We are over the moon with the news that Óige Ghlas secretary Isobel Roche has not only been elected to the Green Party Executive Committee but came second in the poll! Congratulations Isobel on this momentous achievement

We would like to extend our congratulations also to our other Young Green candidates Ruadháin Bonham, Donnacha Geoghegan and Justin Fleming who despite falling short ran admirable campaigns

Tacaíocht le bunú 'Na Gaeil Glasa' / Support for the foundation of 'Na Gaeil Glasa'

Beatha teanga í a labhairt!

Tá muidne san Óige Ghlas ag tacú go mór le bunú ‘Na Gaeil Glasa’, grúpa sainleasmhar laistigh den Chomhaontas Glas. Creideann muid go láidir gur chomhair an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa pháirtí agus sa phobal uilig. Tá rún a thabhairt ag grúpa áitiúl Phort Láirge agus Marc Ó Cathasaigh ag an Ardfheis chun an grúpa sainleasmhar seo a bhunú. Molaimid díobh go léir tacú leis an rún seo.

We in the young greens are strongly supporting the foundation of ‘Na Gaeil Glasa’, a special interest group within the Green Party. We strongly believe that the Irish language should be promoted in the party and in the wider public. There is a motion being brought by the Waterford local group and Marc Ó Cathasaigh at the national convention to found this special interest group. We encourage you all to support this motion.

Statement on incident involving Roderic O' Gorman

We are shocked and angered by the incident invloving Roderic O’ Gorman that occured during a canvass in Dublin West yesterday.

Roderic has been the subject of hasrassment both online and in-person for a number of years now. While harmful in it’s own right, this has begun to legitimise physical violence. This is not the fist incident of its kind that’s impacted an election candidate while campaigning this year.

We must guarantee that thise putting themselves forward for election can do so without the threat or practice of harrasment, intimidation or vioeknce. The failure to do so would present an existential threat to democracy in Ireland.

Statement on the Anniversary of October 7th

Today marks one year since Hamas killed and captured hundreds of innocent Israeli citizens, and one year of unrelenting violence and mass civilian murder by the Israeli state in Gaza. One year on, the prospect of peace seems further than ever.

The Young Greens oppose and condemn any and all violence against civilians, Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanese, or any other nationality.

The sheer scale of devastation and destruction that Israel has unleashed over the past year in Gaza must be acknowledged and utterly condemned. The actions of the Israeli state are in direct violation of international law, and constitute acts of genocide. The expansion of the conflict into Lebanon also poses an unacceptable risk to civilians, and indeed to the Irish peacekeepers stationed there.

We have heard the calls for peace by all countries on the international stage, but these calls are meaningless without action.

Countries cannot claim to advocate for peace while continuing to provide weaponry that is deployed against innocent civilians.

We call for an immediate cessation of arms trade with Israel by all countries.

We welcome the Irish government's recent recognition of Palestine, but we can and must do more, starting with the passing of the Occupied Territories Bill.

We call on the European Union to suspend the EU-Israel association agreement until Israel complies with its human rights obligations.

We call on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages.

We call on Israel to immediately cease its act of genocide, release all unjustly held Palestinian prisoners, recognise the State of Palestine, and end the decades of violence and oppression they have imposed on the people of Palestine.

Statement on proposed Puberty Blocker Ban in Northern Ireland

“Sinn Féin, the DUP and the UUP are putting trans lives at risk”

Sinn Féin and the DUP have enabled Northern Ireland Executive Minister for Health Mike Nesbitt to ban lifesaving transgender healthcare for trans kids.

This is unnaceptable, and puts the lives of trans children at risk.

We are incredibly dissapointed and would urge MIke Nesbitt to reconside this life-threatening policy.

Nature Restoration Law oficially passed

A win for nature.

The Nature Restoration Law has now passed both the European Parliament and the European Environment Council in the face of widespread misinformation and disinformation! A testament to the courage of Austrian Minister for Climate Action, Environment & Energy Leonore Gewessler and the determination of everyone who fought so hard for the law including our outgoing MEPs Ciarán Cuffe and Grace O’ Sullivan.

33w

Statement by Óige Ghlas on Asylum Seeker Accomodation

Óige Ghlas wish to express their collective disappointment at the lack of a whole-of-government approach to the refugee crisis in Ireland. The removal of International Protection Amplicants from Mount Street in Dublin today, March 16th is evidence of a wholly inadequate strategy that is putting vulnerable people at risk.

The number of refugees seeking safety in Ireland has been steadily increasing over the last few years but it has not been sufficiently prioritised by the government, with various departments and ministers seeming to not want to be associated with the issue at all.

As of January 2023 cabinet has 10 committees, including one dedicated to the humanitarian response to Ukraine. We believe a new committee needs to be established to deal with the refugee crisis in Ireland and our lack of a humanitarian response.

We are also calling for:

  • The Department of Justice to hasten the processing of IP applications and tto take action on the rising violence and intimidation against asylum seekers in Ireland. including arson, vandalism, and racial abuse;

  • The Department of Media and Coimisiún na Meán to take immediate action to combat the spread of hate and misinformation online;

  • The Department of Housing to work on refurbishing state owned properties for use in accommodating asylum seekers;

  • The Department of Social Protection to provide greater supports to communities hosting asylum seekers and adequate resources to asylum seekers.

  • The Department of Integration and Dublin City Council to explain the circumstances around Mount Street including why better facilities were not made available to those camping there while they sought other accommodation.

Statement on Rafah Massacre

Stop the Rafah Massacre

Israel’s bombing of Rafah, previously designated a safe zone, is an unequivocal war crime. Now more than ever the international community, including the Irish government, must take action to hold the Israeli government to account and prevent further deaths. Complacency is complicity.

End the siege, end apartheid

Statement on the International Court of Justice's initial ruling

Óige Ghlas are extremely disappointed and concerned that the International Court of Justice’s initial ruling does not demand Israel suspend its military operations or seek a ceasefire. Similarly, its failure to order Israel to halt its forced displacement of Palestinians from their homes seems seriously misjudged. Numerous statements by leading Israeli figures as well as the actions of the Israeli military over the last few months make it clear that Israel is seeking to ethnically cleanse Gaza. It is incumbent upon the international community and its institutions to stop this genocide.


We welcome the ICJ’s instruction to Israel to take preventative measures against genocide and ensure the provision of urgently needed humanitarian aid in Gaza. However, ongoing indiscriminate attacks continue to endanger thousands of Palestinian lives, as well as the lives of Irish and Israeli citizens trapped in Gaza. Those who survive Israeli rockets and IDF attacks, and manage to avoid a slow death from orchestrated famine and disease, will suffer permanent physical and psychological trauma.


We call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to respond more vocally, and to ensure that Ireland takes any available unilateral action open to us in pursuit of a ceasefire. Ireland must also redouble its efforts to overcome any EU veto on preventing further Israeli aggression. 

Young Greens motion on affordable Purpose Built Student Accommodation passes at National Policy Council

A Young Greens motion to ensure monthly rent for Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) is no more than 30% of the full-time monthly minimum wage has passed at Green Party Policy Council. This motion applies to both privately-owned and university-owned Purpose Built Student Accommodation and states that the rent should be indexed to the minimum wage. €572.90 per month represents 30% of the monthly earnings of a full-time minimum wage worker. 

Access to affordable accommodation is a fundamental prerequisite for students pursuing higher education. Unaffordable rents not only deter young people from enrolling in universities and colleges but also push them into precarious financial situations. At a time when 11,189 students are in rent or fee debt to their institutions and 88% of students worry about finances it is imperative that we address this issue to ensure equal educational opportunities for all. 


Letter to An Taoiseach regarding the scheduling of local and European elections in June 2024

Dear An Taoiseach, Minister

We hope this letter finds you well.

We, the members of Óige Ghlas, are writing to express our concerns regarding the upcoming local and European elections scheduled to take place in June 2024. These elections are of utmost importance, and we believe that every eligible citizen, especially young people, should have the opportunity to participate fully in the democratic process.

As you may be aware, the European elections are set to be held from the 6th to the 9th of June 2024 and the local elections will fall on one of these dates. Typically, in Irish election history, elections have been held on a Friday, however, the most recent Dáil election in 2020 took place on a Saturday. While we understand the necessity of choosing suitable dates for elections, we are deeply concerned that the dates currently proposed will clash with the schedule of the Leaving Certificate Examinations, which is a critical period for many young people across the country.

The clash between the election dates and the Leaving Certificate Exams presents a significant barrier for young people who wish to engage with the voting process. This conflict has the potential to deter eligible voters from exercising their democratic right to vote, as they may feel torn between their civic duty and their academic responsibilities. It is crucial to remove any barriers that may hinder young people from participating in the electoral process.

In light of these concerns, we respectfully request that the local and European elections in June 2024 be scheduled for Saturday, the 8th of June. This consideration would enable young people, who are our future leaders, to participate in the electoral process without compromising their educational pursuits. It would promote civic engagement among our youth and foster a sense of responsibility towards our democracy.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response and hope that together, we can ensure that the upcoming elections are as inclusive and accessible as possible for all members of our society.

Le meas,

Young Greens - Óige Ghlas Executive Committee

Statement on yesterday’s violence in Dublin

Óige Ghlas are devastated by yesterday’s Parnell Square stabbing. We are horrified by the riots and violence inflicted by far-right extremists following this incident last night. We praise the swift response of the emergency services to last night’s violence and the massive cleanup effort by Dublin City Council this morning.

The growth in right wing extremism across Europe in recent years has been deeply troubling, and Ireland for too long has felt insulated from such violence. We are not. We have seen the far-right attacking migrants and politicians, setting fire to refugee camps and abusing library staff in the last year. The response to these events by the media and An Garda Síochana has felt totally inadequate.

We welcome the Garda Commissioner’s characterisation of last night’s events for what they are- far right radicalisation. We call on the Gardaí to hold the instigators of last night’s violence to account and to implement stronger action against the growth of far-right extremism. We further call on the Oireachtas to progress the Hatred and Offences Bill as soon as is practically possible. The elected representatives and political figures who engage in the anti-immigrant narrative or fail to call out this narrative are complicit in the rise of violent extremism and bear some responsibility for last night’s events. There can be no dismissiveness or qualifying this kind of extremism.

Our thoughts go to the victims and their families, and we wish a speedy recovery to all those injured. We are all grateful for the heroic intervention of Caio Benicio and other bystanders that helped prevent further injuries.

— Young Greens-Óige Ghlas Executive Committee

Statement on the crisis in Gaza

Óige Ghlas condemns Israel’s ongoing military assault in Gaza that has resulted in over 10,000 civilian deaths and the displacement of upwards of 1.5 million people.

The indiscriminate bombing campaign by Israel in Gaza, including the targeting of hospitals, ambulances, schools and UN shelters is resulting in the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people as defined by the 1994 United Nations report S/1994/674 - “… a purposeful policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove by violent and terror-inspiring means the civilian population of another ethnic or religious group from certain geographic areas.”

Alongside the indiscriminate bombing, Gazans are facing a parallel humanitarian catastrophe due to Israel's blockade of water, electricity, food, fuel and humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. These actions unequivocally violate international law and can be considered crimes against humanity. The international community must hold the perpetrators to account and ensure that they are prosecuted for these war crimes. Israel has every right to defend itself against Hamas, but this does not extend to the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians in Gaza. No matter the context, collective punishment is wrong.

Óige Ghlas calls for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of all political violence. Additionally we are calling for the recognition of the State of Palestine, the adoption of the Control of Economic Activities (Occupied Territories) Bill, releasing of all hostages (including Palestinians held in administrative detention by Israel) and an end to the blockade of Gaza and occupation of Palestinian land.

Israeli actions in Gaza are ethnic cleansing and rapidly escalating toward genocide. Ireland and others in the international community must do more to prevent this from going any further. The time to act is now.

— Young Greens-Óige Ghlas Executive Committee

Young Greens call on the Government to recognise the State of Palestine

Óige Ghlas believes that Ireland must proactively support the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty in Palestine.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin recently announced that the Government is in favour of recognising Palestine, and that the timing of such recognition would be dependent on its impact on reaching a resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Óige Ghlas wants to see a sovereign, independent and peaceful Palestinian state. 

Palestine has not been treated as an equal member of the community of sovereign states, and recognition has long been treated as a card to play against Palestinians, only delivered upon at the completion of negotiations.

All talks up to this point between Israel and Palestine have not been on equal footing. Without state recognition, Palestinians are placed in an inferior position to Israel, which not only leverages its military and economic might to occupy Palestinian land, but does so with the legitimacy of a formal state. 

Ireland can contribute to successfully securing a negotiated two state solution by recognising the self-determination of Palestinians. This would align with our stated values of peace, justice and respect for international law. As important as this symbolism is, it still does not go far enough. Until such a time as Palestine exists as a free and independent state, Óige Ghlas will also continue to support the Occupied Territories Bill.

The “right time” for recognition is now. The time for peace is now.

Planning blocked for Shannon LNG

The Young Greens- Óige Ghlas welcome An Bord Pleanála’s rejection of planning permission for the Shannon LNG terminal. At a time when the world is burning, we cannot expand our use of fossil fuels.

The development of a commercially operated floating LNG terminal would go against government policy. The Programme for Government commits Ireland to carbon neutrality, and the Greens are delivering on that commitment by putting in place a policy which An Bord Pleanála acknowledged and acted upon.

This LNG project was out of step with the needs of the country in 2023. Developing LNG gas import terminals for importing fracked gas would have been a massive step in the wrong direction. The development of a commercially operated LNG floating storage is not about energy security or reducing fuel prices - it is about profit.

The future requires Green policies to drive investment into renewables and sustainable offshore wind energy, solar farms, and other green energy technologies.

Increased SUSI payments

The Young Greens - Óige Ghlas welcome the new €500 cut in third-level student fees and will continue to call for further measures to address the Cost of Living crisis and barriers to third level education.

Starting or returning to college is an expensive time of year. This new student grant of €500 is a permanent reduction in the €3,000 student charge for students in families with up to four children, on an income of €62,000 to €100,000. The income threshold is higher if there are more children. Our concern is that there are many families who are eligible who are not aware of it and we want to highlight that it is not too late to apply.

To receive the benefit, which comes in the form of a grant, students have to apply to state agency Susi. It is estimated that up to 40,000 students may be eligible and 9,600 grants have been awarded so far. We encourage students and families to check their eligibility. If you aren’t sure if you are eligible, there is a handy ‘eligiblity checker’ on the SUSI website.

Óige Ghlas welcome new Sail&Rail tickets between Ireland and France

The Young Greens – Óige Ghlas welcome the announcement of the new combined “Sail & Rail” tickets between Ireland and France.

Trains and ferries are the most energy-efficient modes of transport and are much more sustainable alternatives to air travel. For the same distance travelled, the ferry emits 1% of what the plane emits in terms of CO2 per tonne-km, and the train 8%.

 

Our International Officer, and regular Sail & Rail-er, Adam Ó Ceallaigh said;

“Sail & Rail provides an environmentally friendly and often very cost effective option for travelling to the UK. The expansion of Sail & Rail to France is a brilliant step in connecting Ireland to the rest of Europe.”

 

Travellers between France and Ireland who use both the ferry and the train to start or continue their journey will be able to book their train tickets from the Brittany Ferries and Irish Ferries websites, thanks to links to the rail operators' websites.

Reservations for this ferry-train combination are also possible from the online booking platforms Rail-Europe, Trainline and participating rail operators.