‘Green wave’ arrives Leeside

The so-called ‘Green wave’ washed over Cork City Hall and could partly be blamed for Sinn Féin’s bad performance. The party went from eight to four seats for the next council.

The Green Party went from having zero to four councillors on the incoming council.

These included long time party member Dan Boyle, Lorna Bogue, Colette Finn and Oliver Moran.

Cllr Boyle told the Cork Independent that it was more than a ripple that the Greens were making.

He said: “It is wave. We had 12 councillors nationally going into this election and we now have 48 so we’ve quadrupled.

“Our votes have gone up, our seats have gone up and we’re a far bigger party than we have been.

“It’s been an enormously successful election and we’re delighted,” he added.

When questioned about raising the cost of fuel, he said: “We (councillors) don’t have the power to do that. I’ve been in politics for the best part of 30 years now and have been hearing this nonsense (all the time). The people who control the prices are the Government.

“A carbon level already exists. Fine Gael have been in power since 2011 and have done sweet damn all about it and they should stop talking about it as it’s a minute proportion of all the taxes that are collected in this country.

“We really think they need to get serious on talking climate change as a matter of urgency and taking measure that would encourage people to warm their home with grants for insulation and retrofitting and to try to encourage people to drive electric vehicles.”