Marc Ó Cathasaigh - Green Party
Marc Ó Cathasaigh is the Green Party General Election for Waterford. Son of Jim and Frances Casey of Butlerstown, he is now a father himself to three young boys, Donnacha, Eoghan and Tomás and husband to Róisín. He is currently a Primary School Teacher in Glór na Mara NS, Tramore. Marc was elected to Waterford City and County Council in May, topping the poll in the Tramore and Waterford City West electoral area. He is the Green Party Spokesperson on Social Protection.
Marc has already established a strong track record in his short period on Waterford Council, championing motions on mental health, air quality and climate action. He was instrumental in committing Waterford City and County Council to joining the Covenant of Mayors, an international agreement which will ensure meaningful climate action.
Marc believes that the changes needed to protect our children’s future must be underpinned by social democratic ideals, and that the most vulnerable in our society must be protected as we make the transition to a low-carbon society. He believes that an economy must work for its people, not the other way round. He believes that Green policies, Green values and Green voices are needed in the Dáil now more than ever.
Key Campaign Issues For Marc:
- Meaningful and immediate action on the Climate and Biodiversity Crisis
- Delivery of a second Cath Lab and 24/7 emergency cardiac care for the South East
- Championing improvements in mental health and psychiatric services in Waterford City and County, improving access and attitudes to talk therapy and ensuring that mental health services provided by non-governmental organisations are integrated with a system of care that includes local statutory and community services
- Making Waterford the capital of the South East by creating high quality employment and improving access services in transport, health and education. Waterford City must be the economic and social driver for the Southeast
- Supporting a University for the South East, headquartered here in Waterford. TUSE (Technical University of the South East) should be seen as a stepping stone to full University status. Our young people deserve access to a full range of University courses at home
- Supporting SIPTU’s #STOP67 campaign to prevent a pensions gap, and advocating for a retirement that’s voluntary, flexible and appropriate
- Full implementation of Sláintecare, including a single-tier health system based on need rather than the ability to pay
- Investing in public transport, from rail to bus, from urban to rural, as well as active transport modes such as walking and cycling
- Replacing Rebuilding Ireland with a National Housing Plan to build public housing on public land, directly procured by local authorities
- Implementing a strategic plan for deep retrofitting of the Irish building stock, including significant financial supports for deep retrofit of private and rented homes based on an assessment of the full range of benefits that deep retrofits can unlock
- Revitalising our urban communities by bringing families back to the centre of our city, towns and villages through a focused program of urban renewal.
