Gormley unveils Greens' candidates

JOHN GORMLEY and Eamon Ryan unveiled the Green Party’s candidates for the byelections in Dublin South and Dublin Central.

The party has chosen two relatively known candidates to contest both byelections.

Elizabeth Davidson, a community worker in Tallaght who ran for the party in the local elections in 2004 and the general election in 2007, is contesting the South Dublin seat.

In Dublin Central, the party has selected David Geary, a solicitor who is chairman of the EU and International Affairs Committee of the Law Society of Ireland.

When asked if she thought she could beat Fine Gael’s George Lee, Ms Davidson said she did not know what her chances were.

Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan said he texted Mr Lee yesterday morning and “welcomed him to the world of politics”.

Party leader and Minister for the Environment John Gormley said Mr Lee would very quickly discover the reality of politics.

“I’d be happy to give him a few tips. He’s made his decision and fair play to him, I wish him well.”

He said he was looking forward to debating the economy with Mr Lee. “I would hope these elections will give us an opportunity to debate the very difficult situation we now find ourselves in. We are coming to this afresh, we are not responsible for getting us into difficulty, but we are getting us out.”

The Greens expected to do well in the local elections, Mr Gormley said, and would not be damaged by association with Fianna Fáil.

“People make a distinction between the Green Party and Fianna Fáil. The feedback we are getting is positive, and the polls suggest our vote is holding up.”

Mr Gormley said he did not expect there to be a general election this year, but conceded that his partners in Government could suffer in the upcoming elections.

“They’re not doing too well and that’s a reality. Much as I want this Government to continue, I have to concentrate on my game.”

Mr Geary was “the ideal Green candidate”, Mr Gormley said, and had given the party valuable legal advice.

Mr Geary, who works in renewable energy, said he would work to bring “green jobs” and an improved quality of life to Dublin.