Chu defends Seanad run despite Green leadership's opposition

Lord mayor's candidacy exposes fault lines of the split within the party

Lord Mayor of Dublin and Green Party chairperson Hazel Chu who is to run as an unofficial Green Party candidate for the Seanad by-election. Picture:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Green Party chair and Dublin Lord Mayor Hazel Chu has defended her decision to stand for the Seanad by-election, against the express wishes of her party leader Eamon Ryan.

Ms Chu has formally announced her candidacy having received the required nominations from Oireachtas members and has insisted there was no pact between the Greens and the other coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil preventing her from standing.