Members of the newly reformed Longford-Westmeath Green Party constituency group attended the Green Party convention held last weekend in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.
Members representing Westmeath included Louise Heavin, Green Party representative for the Athlone local area.
Ms Heavin, who is a local architect, contributed to discussions on housing.
“This is an area I have a big interest in," she said. "AffordabilIty is key and house prices in the area are quickly rising. As a party, we believe a lot can be done to improve housing in the Midlands.”
At the meeting there was a focus on different models of housing development and financing to provide good quality affordable homes for all who need it, including people in social housing, renters and first time buyers attempting to get on the property ladder in the current difficult housing market.
The theme of this year’s convention was ‘A sustainable economy for the whole community'.
During his leader's speech, Eamon Ryan outlined the Green party’s vision, which involves: more natural parks, public transport, playgrounds, primary care centres, smart farming and fishing, community owned power, flexible working, creative learning and more enterprise from both the state and the private sector.
Mr Ryan said these improvements will act "to make us a stronger more connected community".
The Longford-Westmeath Green Party group meets monthly at various locations across the constituency and hosts public talks and events in the region addressing a variety of different subjects.
For more information email [email protected] or find the group on Facebook.
