Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Alamy Stock Photo

Children's Minister determined to remain in his role if he wins Green Party leadership race

Roderic O’Gorman told The Journal he wants to remain in his brief to finish some “major” pieces of work.

CHILDREN’S MINISTER RODERIC O’Gorman will not propose any shake ups to Cabinet if he wins the Green Party leadership contest.

Except if there is “a very strong reason”, he told The Journal this week. 

O’Gorman and Minister of State Senator Pippa Hackett are both contesting to be the next leader of the Green Party.

On Thursday they answered questions from delegates on their vision for the party, with a second husting due to take place on Sunday.

When asked by The Journal if he would he remain as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he becomes leader and would Eamon Ryan remain Minister for Transport and Climate? 

“Barring a very strong reason, I wouldn’t be looking to make major changes across our ministerial offerings,” O’Gorman said.

He added that he is not proposing that he move out of his own department as there are still some “major pieces of work to get done”. 

Among these, ratifying the optional protocol to the UN CRPD, extending the national childcare scheme to child minders and increasing provisions for children with disabilities.

“So I’m not planning on that on going anywhere,” he said.

Despite O’Gorman arguing that the coalition has worked well, almost all of his time at the helm of the Department of Integration has been spent responding to crisis after crisis. 

This week, over 2,100 asylum seekers are without accommodation in the state and many have been forced to pitch tents on the streets of Dublin City which are then later removed and dumped by Government agencies. 

Barricades now stretch along much of the Grand Canal to prevent tents from being erected, with Waterways Ireland saying this week they are likely to be in place until October and that the organisation is trying to “redesign” the area to prevents tents being pitched in the future. 

When it was put to O’Gorman that none of this, which is happening on his watch, aligns with the vision he has outlined for his leadership of the Green Party, his response was:

“I’ve been very clear, where we’re not able to accommodate people. That’s a failure. That’s a failure by the state. But we are taking steps and very significant steps to address that.”

He added that in the last six weeks over 1,000 unaccommodated male international protection seekers have been offered accommodation. 

“The problem with the system as I inherited it, was it is entirely based on commercial accommodation, and I’m redesigning it but I’m having to do that in real-time,” O’Gorman said.

Members will vote online from 4-7 July. The results announced on Monday 8 July.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
92 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Bransfield
    Favourite John Bransfield
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 5:45 PM

    The headline makes it sound like some horrible,horrible porno…

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra Turner
    Favourite Sandra Turner
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 7:12 PM

    Alan shatter could write the script

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute HomoHabilis1980
    Favourite HomoHabilis1980
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 7:21 PM

    Haha and the have the porno names to boot…..bellenda and joan the moan star in……….

    23
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mcgoo
    Favourite mcgoo
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 7:24 PM

    ……”Ordinary people doing it in the cabinet”

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra Turner
    Favourite Sandra Turner
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 9:16 PM

    This stuff writes itself

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 5:45 PM

    In fairness they are milking this for every last piece of news coverage.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TOP CAT
    Favourite TOP CAT
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 5:47 PM

    Joan and Enda having a good old fashion sleep over…
    Can just pucture the two of them having a pillow fight..

    Im on top Enda…

    I never liked the bottom bunk…

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cosmological
    Favourite cosmological
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 5:49 PM

    Unconscious coupling.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RonanM
    Favourite RonanM
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 5:43 PM

    The picture, just why?

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mitch
    Favourite Mitch
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 5:52 PM

    Will it make a difference who they pick to do what department work we are all sick of it at this stage

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 5:45 PM

    UGH!

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B
    Favourite B
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 5:54 PM

    *Groan Burton

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew McMahony
    Favourite Andrew McMahony
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 6:14 PM

    I’d say Edna Kenny “the mute Taoiseach” is only delighted to have a woman to f##k up the ass instead of pig face Gilmore. I don’t know which would be worse.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dervy O' S
    Favourite Dervy O' S
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 6:38 PM

    Bet you anything they roide!!!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Flood
    Favourite John Flood
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 6:13 PM

    Democracy? Me are!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 6:52 PM

    He was eyeing up Angela Merkel last weekend…….

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KentuckyWindage
    Favourite KentuckyWindage
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 6:14 PM

    Joan Burton is a fine thing!!

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dervy O' S
    Favourite Dervy O' S
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 6:38 PM

    Praying this is sarcasm :/

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KentuckyWindage
    Favourite KentuckyWindage
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 6:42 PM

    Your prayers are answered.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Moon
    Favourite Willy Moon
    Report
    Jul 8th 2014, 6:23 PM

    Your sick

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chroi Iosa
    Favourite Chroi Iosa
    Report
    Jul 9th 2014, 12:41 PM

    €nda Kenny and Moan Burton…..

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds