Why does anyone go into politics?

Most people will answer that question with a mention of power, influence, money, ego and other non-complimentary terms. The profession has a low esteem in public perception. I can only speak for myself when I say I am involved primarily because I want to influence the world my children will live in and it was something I was drawn to, not sure why. I am a slightly hyperactive individual who is full of opinions and energy. I have no great ambitions towards power, wealth or fame. I do have a strong sense of justice and it is my experience most politicians share these attributes.

Why would any one go in to Green Politics?

The Green Party has a number of appealing aspects. It has no baggage that requires your family to have been in or near the GPO, buying stamps, around Easter 1916. You do not have to have been in a trade union since you left school and you don’t have to be a barrister either. It has a strong ethical origin, the old tree hugger wing, which has a type of Oriental appreciation of the fact that we, Homo sapiens sapiens, are of this Earth, not in control of it. It is a lousy party for shakers and bribers. It values quality over quantity. It’s young, naive, and has a loose view in regard to expressing personal opinions. I like that. Oh, and it’s concerned about how we treat the environment too.
One of the annoying things about being involved in Irish politics is the tradition of opposition opposing for the purpose of not agreeing. It makes the Tallaght strategy a unique moment in recent Irish political history and one that I personally intend to follow from time to time. May I take this space to compliment Alan Dukes for that rare moment of statesmanship and having observed him in person at the Forum on Europe I have to say he is a loss to Dáil Eireann.
Locally I have to say there are politicians I admire - most of them not party affiliates and one or two in a fairer world would have realised the ministerial ability they possess. There are issues that I have to compliment also, sometimes there are anomalies in that politician’s CV but Noel Dempsey's plastic bag levy was a great success and points the way in other aspects of Green policy.