O’Hara defends decision to run in Westminster elections after taking Seanad seat

The leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland has defended his decision to run in the Westminster elections only months after he became a senator of Ireland’s Parliament.

Mal O’Hara, who is running in the North Belfast constituency, said there would be “no problem” in him taking the seat if he was voted in on July 4.

The former Belfast City councillor was elected as a senator in the Republic of Ireland in April after he replaced Senator Niall O Donnghaile of Sinn Fein.

Mr O’Hara said that while he knew the General Election would happen this year, he said that Rishi Sunak “surprised many when he called it so early”.

“I’ve just had my feet under the table at the Seanad. We are moving forward with law, legislation, attempts to make positive changes for people right across the island,” he told BBCNI Sunday Politics show.

“I think in North Belfast, the Greens wanted me to stand as the most high-profile member and to offer people an alternative on a unique policy plan.”

Asked if he would take his seat if successful in next month’s elections, Mr O’Hara said: “Yes, if the people of North Belfast chose me. I think we have a number of Seanad and TD (Dail) by-elections after the results of the European Parliament (election).

“If I was to be successful in North Belfast, that would be no problem with me taking the seat and a by-election being held.

“I think people will want to see me standing as offering a unique policy platform. We’re talking about issues that others are not.

“We’re talking about a wealth tax. Greens across the UK are suggesting that’s a way to fix our broken public services.

“That means the richest 1%, those worth more than 3.4 million, need to pay a little bit more on taxation, which means we can rebuild public services, build social housing to avoid the housing crisis in the UK and of course then fund the climate transition to net zero society.”

Mr O’Hara also refused to back either of the Green candidates running to take the party’s leadership role in the Republic.

Earlier this week, Green leader Eamon Ryan said he was resigning from his role.

It spawned a leadership contest within the coalition party where Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman and Senator Pippa Hackett, who holds the title of Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, have emerged as contenders.

“With new leadership and new energy coming into the party, nominations are open until 9pm tomorrow night for deputy leader and leader,” Mr O’Hara added.

“We’ll see who the runners and riders are on, and we have over 600 members who will be able to vote.

“Historically, I haven’t endorsed either as leader or deputy leader and I’ll probably maintain that should that candidate field become clear by Monday.”