LIMERICK’S Green Party TD, Brian Leddin, is one of nine of the party’s Deputies to vote in favour of accepting the Programme for Government agreed upon by Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Green Party.
The Limerick TD said he was “pleased to play a role” in the talks for government formation “bringing a Mid-West perspective to negotiations”.
Deputy Leddin told said “no party got all that they wanted” in the negotiations but told the Limerick Post he is pleased there are a number of “commitments including public transport in rural areas, prioritise the siting of new state agencies and departments in cities outside Dublin”.
The Limerick TD also welcomed the expansion of Bus Connects services in the programme, a park and ride scheme, which was being evaluated for Limerick under the Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy in 2019.
The programme for government also aims to pass legislation to allow the first directly elected mayor in Limerick to be elected in 2021 and Deputy Leddin said he was happy to see “funding for Limerick’s Directly Elected Mayor”.
The Limerick representative said he was also pleased to see a “new commitment to town centres” and “an end to Direct Provision.”
“I’m also happy to announce that Limerick will be getting a new Regional Cycle Design office, colocated with the Regional Roads Design Office in Dooradoyle,” he told the Limerick Post.
The creation of the Regional Cycle Design office in Limerick will be part of the possible government’s aim to expand and enhance the expertise on active travel needed to dramatically improve infrastructure and participation both in the NTA and local authorities.
Indicative votes for support for the Programme for Government were also taken of the Green Party Senators, MEPs and one MLA. The group, including indicative votes, recorded 13 votes in favour and four abstentions.
The programme will now be referred to the party membership for ratification.
Members who register for an online Special Convention or who apply for an absentee ballot will now have to the opportunity to vote on the Programme for Government. Members will receive information shortly from the Green Party Head Office on how to register online for the Special Convention or apply for a vote.
The membership of the Green Party will now have the chance to vote on the deal and each member’s vote will have the same weight as any TD, Senator, MEP or MLA.
