Donal Hickey: Our parks need boost of green energy

One of the good things emerging from the coronavirus crisis is that so many people have come to appreciate the value of parks, open public spaces, forests and walks in wild areas. As well as being venues for physical exercise, they are a safety valve for those who might suffer mentally in these trying times.

We hope that if the Green Party becomes part of the new government, these gems will receive the priority they have not been getting up to now. Last year, the Greens called on the government to stop paying lip service to protecting the environment and to provide an extra €50m for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).