The Green Party has reiterated its plan to lower the voting age to 16 as part of its 2024 general election manifesto which was launched today – a policy also endorsed by almost every other party in the Oireachtas.
The party also outlined plans to implement a 40% gender quota for candidate selection, cabinet appointments, and Oireachtas committee chairs.
The flagship element of the plan was a €10 billion proposed overhaul of Ireland’s public transport system. This, they say, would be funded by €7 billion from the Apple tax funds and an additional €3 billion from other sources, aiming to “supercharge” transport projects across the country.
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman outlined the investment’s primary focus on expanding light rail systems and improving rail infrastructure in major cities. Projects include new light rail lines in Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Waterford, as well as the long-awaited Dublin MetroLink, DART+ upgrades, and Luas extensions.
“Public transport has been the poor relation of transport provision for too long,” O’Gorman said.
“Only the Green Party will place a relentless focus on these big projects to get them over the line and make people’s lives easier.”
The manifesto also includes commitments to expand Dublin’s BusConnects network and add new late-night and 24/7 public transport options in urban areas. In rural regions, the party plans to introduce a new ‘Local Link’ bus route every week, improving accessibility and transport connections.
As part of the transport plan, the Green Party is promising further cost reductions for public transport users through a new “Climate Ticket,” building on recent fare reductions of 20% for adults, 60% for young people, and free fares for children under nine.
The Green Party’s 2024 manifesto extends beyond transport, with policies on housing, welfare, and environmental protections:
Housing: A target of up to 53,000 new homes per year, with a focus on affordable and social housing, as well as measures to tackle vacant properties.
Childcare: Proposals to establish universal access to early years education and guarantee affordable childcare for families across Ireland.
Nature and Climate: Investments of billions in renewable energy, retrofitting schemes and more.
With the goal of substantial investment in transport and infrastructure, the Green Party aims to address Ireland’s congestion and sustainability challenges while ensuring that public transport is “affordable, accessible, and efficient,” according to O’Gorman.
The full manifesto is available here.