Roderic O’Gorman, the leader of the Green Party, is focused on revitalizing the party following a significant setback in the November 2024 general election, where it dropped from a strong position to a single seat in the Dáil. In a recent interview with the Press Association, O’Gorman emphasized that the forthcoming by-elections will serve as a critical measure of the party’s rebuilding efforts.
O’Gorman’s leadership comes after a challenging period for the Green Party, which saw its representation plummet after the coalition government’s tenure, reminiscent of its previous collapse in 2011. Since that time, the party has made a notable comeback, reaching a peak of 12 seats in the 2020 elections. Learning from past experiences, O’Gorman has set an ambitious target to restore the party’s influence within a single Dáil term, a task he acknowledges as “challenging.”
He noted, “It took us two terms of the Dáil to rebuild between 2011 and 2020 – I want to do that in one.” This goal is framed by a backdrop of ongoing discussions regarding the performance of the current coalition government, which includes O’Gorman’s former partners, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
In his assessment, O’Gorman criticized the government for its lack of ambition in addressing key issues, particularly in social policies and climate action. He pointed out the government’s perceived retreat from necessary reforms and the postponement of essential public transport projects, such as the Finglas Luas and Dart+ South West. He expressed his concern that the government’s inaction could lead the country toward failure in tackling pressing challenges.
The Green Party leader also commented on the changes within the government, particularly regarding the management of international protection accommodation, which has shifted under Jim O’Callaghan at the Department of Justice. O’Gorman cautioned O’Callaghan against becoming overly confident in the effectiveness of newly implemented measures, warning that the decline in international protection applications might not solely be attributed to these policies.
He stated, “Numbers decreased by about a third every month from October of 2024 to just before the general election – and I am worried that Jim O’Callaghan is starting to believe his own spin that his measures caused that reduction. They didn’t.”
As the Green Party prepares for the upcoming by-elections, O’Gorman is prioritizing a strategic internal reorganization, focusing on fundraising, enhancing communication, and refining electoral strategies. The party plans to run former councillor Niall Murphy in Galway West, while O’Gorman anticipates that either councillors Janet Horner or Feljin Jose will be nominated in Dublin Central.
When discussing the criteria for success in these elections, O’Gorman highlighted the importance of improving vote counts compared to the previous general election. He stated, “The first test is raising the vote on where it was in the general election in both constituencies.” This represents a critical step in demonstrating the party’s renewed strength and commitment to its constituents.
With a robust team of 23 councillors and state funding, O’Gorman believes the Green Party is better positioned than it was in 2011. He remains optimistic about the potential for recovery and is dedicated to ensuring that the party effectively communicates its achievements to the electorate. As the Green Party navigates this rebuilding phase, O’Gorman’s leadership will be pivotal in shaping its future trajectory and re-establishing its presence in Irish politics.
