Manchán Magan to run for the Green Party in Longford Westmeath

The Green Party have announced that broadcaster and journalist, Manchán Magan, will stand for the party in Longford Westmeath in the upcoming general election.

In his campaign statement, Mr Magan says: “I am running for the Green Party in Longford/Westmeath as a way of offering fresh perspectives on the potential of this region.

“There is a desire for living creative, fulfilling and sustainable lives in this area, and yet rarely are alternative positive proposals brought forth.

“By uniting as a community we can become a vibrant and prosperous Eden… a return to our former role where the midlands were considered the core of Ireland: Mide, the place from where all life and energy radiated.

“Highlighting the positive and suggesting enlightened initiatives may seem simplistic, yet the truth is that we live in an area rich in resources and ripe for small-scale, sustainable development. All we lack is the impetus to reshape our lives – to choose and implement innovative local solutions.”

Mr Magan says his goal is to provide a platform whereby communities can explore novel solutions to our current challenges:

• community-owned renewable power generation: wind turbines, biogas plants;

• sustainable farming: fruit/ vegetable horticulture alongside livestock and forestry;

• developing the tourism potential of our lakes, rivers and peatland wildernesses through small-scale local initiatives linked to international networks;

• enlightened, outdoor-focused, preschool and primary education;

• intensive, home retrofitting schemes, with grants that cover at least 75% of insulation, damp-proofing and double-glazing costs;

• co-housing initiatives, where families share heating, laundry and recreational features in well-insulated, green buildings.