BRIDGET GINNITY has been selected as the Green Party representative for the Ennis electoral area.
A regulatory scientist with the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), the announcement of Bridget as an area representative for the party in Ennis is a signal of its intent to fight to increase its representation on Clare County Council.
In the 2019 local elections, the Greens ran just two candidates across the candidate. Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) who became the party’s first elected representative in the North Clare electoral area and Barry O’Donovan who ran in the Killaloe Municipal District and has since left the party. Cllr Liam Grant (GP) was co-opted to the Council following Garvey’s nomination to the Seanad.
Now a regular columnist with The Clare Champion, Bridget is also a board member with the Ennis Book Club Festival, a trustee of Clare Haven and a member of the Ennis Sub Aqua Club.
She moved to Ennis over thirty years ago, she is an avid swimmer in Ballyalla and is a member of the Ballyalla Bravehearts. Ginnity lived in Denmark and Finland for over ten years.
On her selection as a representative for the party, Bridget stated her desire to build on the work done by Senator Garvey and Cllr Grant “ to make climate, communities and equality a priority and I hope to further their work in Ennis”.
Since August, she has been the Clare PPN Environment Representative on the Local Community Development Committee. She stated, “Given the current fossil fuel crisis I have a particular interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Green Party was instrumental in introducing a new Home Energy Upgrade Scheme with grants for everything from timers and attic insulation to full upgrades. Well insulated homes means warmer homes, lower heating bills and reduced carbon emissions”.
“Locally I will be working hard improve walking and cycling infrastructure in Ennis as well as public transport routes. We got a taste of the calm that comes from reduced car use during Covid. Ennis is small enough that walking and cycling is a quick way of getting around and – when made safe and enjoyable – it is much better for our physical and mental wellbeing. Imagine the difference frequent shuttle buses in town, other options like car share and short duration car hire would make to our lives and our pockets. The government will provide Clare with about €6m a year for five years for walking and cycling projects, including safe routes to schools, and it’s important that we spend it wisely,” the former director of the environmental and occupational hygiene consultancy company, ANV Technology added.
On the party’s addition, Senator Garvey commented, “It has never been more important to have politicians who care about climate and biodiversity but on a practical level wanting to enable people to have cheaper and greener ways to travel and heat their homes so I’m delighted Bridget has stepped forward to represent Ennis. She is embedded in the community and is passionate about improving the quality of life for the people here. I’m looking forward to working with her in the coming months and years”.
