Louth Green Party

 Responding to the news that the Convention is to be held in County Louth, the party's election candidate and Councillor Mark Dearey expressed his delight at the prospect of hosting 700 delegates and the national media over three days next 11-13th April.

"It's a credit to the local organisation that we saw off superb bids from Tralee and Belfast to take this prize. I want to thank the members of the Louth Greens for all their efforts. In addition the pro-active attitude and approach of the team at the Fairways and Crowne Plaza Hotels in Dundalk were instrumental in helping to secure this event for Louth."

Cllr. Dearey added, "As far as I know it’s the first time a Party Ard Fheis has been held in Louth and its particularly significant in this the first year that the Green Party are in Government. It's a terrific opportunity for Co. Louth to host delegates from every corner of Ireland. It also gives us an opportunity to showcase all that the county has to offer through the media spotlight, to the public at large."

"In bidding we emphasised a number of themes that we believed separated Louth from the other bidders. The Green Party is an all Island party so bringing the Ard Fheis to a border constituency like Louth, makes it accessible to our Northern membership. It acknowledges the breakthrough we made in the assembly and local elections in recent times. And in a non election year it is a good chance for us to reflect on and plan for new synergies North and South in energy, farming, health and environmental protection.” Dearey continued “We impressed to on the decision making committee that here more than anywhere we are meeting the energy challenges of the future, with everything from the sustainable energy zone through to the cycle lanes that link the town with the Fairways hotel. Public transport links from many corners of the country were also important in securing this conference and Louth was streets ahead in this respect."

Green Party Leader John Gormley, a regular visit to Louth commented "I am very pleased that the party has chosen Louth as the venue for our forthcoming annual convention because I believe it also recognises the great potential for the Green Party in the North East. This is further emphasised by the strong vote our candidate, Mark Dearey, got in the last general election. From my most recent visits to Louth is it very evident that there is great support for Mark that he clearly is a politician to watch," Mr Gormley said.

Mark concluded in saying "This will be a terrific opportunity for the representatives of community groups throughout Louth to highlight and debate the needs of the whole County and to bring them to our three serving Green Party Ministers."