THE Green Party “faced isolated shots every day” during his term in government, but “still kept his promises” according to the party leader Roderic O’Gorman.

Make his speech to voters on the eve of general election During his summons, Mr O’Gorman said the Greens “may have been the smallest party in this government, but we have had the biggest impact in terms of policy”.

He said the party had delivered on climate promises and helped families by cutting childcare costs in half.

“We know how to bring about change and on November 29 we will seek to renew this mandate to ensure that whatever the composition of the next government, there is a strong Green Party presence within it. »

The Green Party has often been the target of criticism from backbenchers of their coalition partners. Good Gael And Fianna Fail.

At a Leinster House press conference on Thursday, Mr O’Gorman was told his party would face an uphill battle as Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil would like to return to government without the Greens.

“We have faced sniping every day for the last four and a half years, and we have consistently implemented the key elements of our program for government, the key elements of our manifesto, implemented climate action , implemented actions that will help families across the country,” replied Mr. O’Gorman. “So we’re looking forward to this campaign.”

The party will unveil its program next week.

The party’s elections director, Senator Pauline O’Reilly, said the Greens are fielding candidates in all 43 ridings, 55 per cent of whom are women.

Ms O’Reilly urged people to “find your Green” on the ballot paper. “Support us, because we know there will be big parties in government again,” she said. “Who do you want in there?”

She said she believed the Irish people “trust the Green Party”.

Mr O’Gorman acknowledged that polls suggest the two largest parties will be back in government. But he said a government made up of just Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, or one supported by independents, would be very different from the outgoing coalition.

“We will not see these kinds of innovative policies in terms of climate, help for families, public transport,” he said. “We would not see them implemented in a government that the Green Party is not part of. »

He noted that the press conference took place on an “unusually mild November morning.”

Green Party deputy leader, Clare-based Senator Róisín Garvey, elaborated: “It was 19 degrees yesterday in Dublin. It was 18 degrees in Co Clare. The climate change debate is over. It’s time to take matters into your own hands.

“And I’m not talking about India or China, I’m talking about… Dundalk and Lahinch.”

She highlighted last year’s flooding in Midleton, Co Cork, and said: “If we don’t take this seriously we will find ourselves in big trouble as a people.”

Ms Garvey said her party knows what needs to be done and “it is imperative that we have strong Green voices” in government.

Mr O’Gorman said: “We showed we reduced our emissions by 7 per cent last year. They are at their lowest level in 30 years.

The Green Party leader, who was attacked while canvassing in his Dublin West constituency last weekend, has said he is concerned for the safety of canvassers and politicians on the campaign trail.

A man pleaded guilty to the assault on Mr O’Gorman in the District Court on Monday.

“One of the most important things about the Irish political system is the fact that in Ireland, politicians go out and talk to people and ask for individual votes,” he said. “It is so important that every candidate from every party and independent feels safe in this election.”

He said the Garda would work with political parties and others “to ensure security so that we can have a vigorous debate and we can all express our political views”.

Mr O’Gorman, who is Minister for Children and Integration, has faced a crisis in accommodation for asylum seekers amid a rise in the number of people arriving in Ireland during the war in Ukraine and arrivals from other countries seeking international protection.

He said the refugee accommodation system he inherited “was not fit for purpose” when there were only 2,000 or 3,000 people arriving each year. “It’s certainly not fit for purpose when we see 16,000 to 20,000 people seeking international protection.”

The Green Party is proposing the creation of a new migration agency – an approach taken in other European countries – which would be a dedicated state organization responsible for both processing applications for international protection and finding accommodation.

Mr O’Gorman also said he had “no doubt” that far-right parties would try to capitalize on the immigration issue in the next campaign.

“What I’ve certainly seen on the doors is that its prevalence has decreased over the last few months, and I think a lot of that is because we’re now able to welcome people in a lot faster.”