The Green Party has selected Cllr Claire Byrne as its candidate for the upcoming Dublin Bay South by-election.
Party members chose the South-East Inner City represented over Lord Mayor Hazel Chu for the ticket.
The party said it was “proud to have had two exceptional women put themselves forward to represent the people of Dublin.”
The members of @DBSGreens have selected Councillor @CByrneGreen as the Green Party's candidate in the upcoming #DBSbyelection.
We are proud to have had two exceptional women in @hazechu and @CByrneGreen put themselves forward to represent the people of Dublin Bay South. pic.twitter.com/zhnUWMUaTr
— Green Party Ireland (@greenparty_ie) June 4, 2021
Cllr Byrne has served as a Green Party Councillor since 2014 – receiving the highest number of first-preference votes in her constituency in the 2019 local elections.
“As a Councillor I have been working hard over the last seven years, particularly in the areas of climate action, arts and culture, waste, active travel, community development and housing,” she said.
“As a TD for Dublin Bay South I will continue that work with a strong focus on climate, communities, and equality.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to set our country on a greener path that will benefit our communities, families and children and to achieve many of the goals we’ve been working towards for the past 40 years.
“We’ve already seen what the Green Party in Government can achieve. I look forward to having the opportunity to work with our colleagues to accomplish not only the green commitments in the Programme for Government but the principles that our Party was founded on.
“These principles are the very reason I am involved in politics: planning for the long-term, protecting our island’s natural beauty, and safeguarding our planet for future generations.”
Congratulations to my colleague @CByrneGreen for being selected to run in the upcoming Dublin Bay South By Election for @greenparty_ie. Best of luck Claire in your campaign. Thanks to all the members who voted for me in this convention & there will most certainly be a next time. https://t.co/mlUXmiEuP7
— Hazel Chu (@hazechu) June 4, 2021
Cllr Chu congratulated her colleague on her selection and thanked those who voted for her, adding: "There will most certainly be a next time."
The Green Party welcomed Cllr Byrne’s selection as “evidence of the Party’s Constitutional mandate to fight for gender parity in politics and achieve an equal Ireland for every woman – particularly in Dublin Bay South which currently has no women TDs.”
Party leader Eamon Ryan said her candidacy offers an opportunity to “reinvent and rebuild Dublin after Covid as a greener more liveable city, that prioritises housing, high-quality transport, access to public spaces and a vibrant and diverse cultural life.”
“Claire has a track record on Dublin City Council (DCC) and the experience and determination to succeed. I’m looking forward to an energetic campaign where we can engage with the public on our vision for our capital as a great place to live.”
With voting closing today, we want to wish our @DBSGreens Councillors @hazechu and @CByrneGreen the best of luck in the #DBSbyelection selection convention.
Ballots will be counted this afternoon and the result will be announced at 8pm. #MoreWomen pic.twitter.com/sGEV5RsBJP
— Green Party Ireland (@greenparty_ie) June 4, 2021
Deputy Party Leader Catherine Martin noted that less than one-quarter of the Dáil’s TDs are women.
She said the Greens are “committed to fighting for gender parity in politics and an equal Ireland for every woman.”
