Pauline O’Reilly is a senator and the current chair of the Green Party. A qualified solicitor, she is the leader of the Green Party in the Seanad and has been since 2021.

We cannot ignore that we are in a climate and biodiversity emergency. It is absolutely critical that Europe drives a just transition to a prosperous, green economy that protects people and planet, secures sustainable livelihoods and supports thriving communities that ensure a sustainable future for our children and our families.

I want to see the billions going into fossil fuel subsidies diverted into renewables, nature, and biodiversity. Public money should be used to create a healthier environment and a liveable future for our children.

We need strong, experienced negotiators in Europe who understand the complexity of legislation and can secure funding in order to expand our public transport, put solar panels on all roofs, build warm and affordable housing and create sustainable jobs in sectors such as construction, energy and transport.

Greens / EFA. The Greens in Europe put climate ambition, social justice, and protection of fundamental rights and democracy at the heart of the European Union. In building a greener society, we will also answer the injustice and inequality polarising our societies. Unlike the conservatives and the far right, who want to delay and deny the problems before us, we will act with urgency and integrity.

The Greens are ambitious for a better Europe that will improve our quality of life. We will invest in affordable housing to bring down rents, home renovations to lower energy bills, and public transport to make commuting more affordable. We believe that our lives can become much less expensive day-to-day through simple and smart investment in public services.

We need more MEPs in Europe with backbone to fight for our planet and secure a safe and sustainable future for our children. As a Senator and former Councillor I am a strong, experienced, Green politician who isn’t afraid of the hard work and the honest conversations needed to make change happen. I’m a former family law solicitor, an educator and a proud mother of two teenagers. I've a long standing track record for the environment, women’s health, education and regional development.

I also believe that it has never been more important to have strong, female voices in Europe. Given the emergence of the far right we are at real risk that key rights such as access to abortion and gender equality legislation could be watered down or eliminated. As a long-standing campaigner for the Repeal movement I know what a difficult journey it has been for Irish women to gain autonomy over our own bodies and we cannot see that reversed. As a Senator, I’ve also fought for free contraception, better access to HRT and safe abortion access zones as well as protections for victims of sexual violence, but there’s so much more to do. I will be a loud and passionate voice in Europe to ensure women’s rights and healthcare are not only protected but progressed.