Greens hold annual convention

The Green Party’s achievements during its first 10 months in Government will go under the spotlight today at its annual convention.

Sustaining recent growth in membership, strategies for local government and European elections next year will also be discussed at the Ard Fheis in Co Louth.

Trevor Sargent will cycle to the convention in the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk, from his constituency in Balbriggan, Co Dublin.

The Minister of State for Food and Horticulture will join a group of cyclists who will meet outside the Custom House at 8am.

The delegation will carry a Green Party flag, which will be raised on arrival at the hotel.

Various policy motions will be debated by over the weekend, with members focusing on bio-fuels, fast tracking wind farm applications, ABA education for children with autism, and cancer facilities in the North West.

Drs Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan will address the convention on about the MarriagEquality Initiative, while Eddie O’Connor (Airtricity), Peter McVerry (Peter McVerry Trust) and Denise Charlton (Immigrant Council of Ireland) will feature on a questions and answers guest panel.

A speech by Party leader, Environment Minister John Gormley, will be broadcast live on RTE 1 on Saturday night.