GE2024... Gallagher wants united approach on climate change

The Labour Party is running Sandy Gallagher as their candidate in Meath West.

The Ballivor woman says she does not come from a political background but when the political parties visited IT Tallaght when she was a student there in 2002, Labour were the only party with Marriage Equality and the Repeal of the 8th Amendment on their agenda.

She works as an accountant for an IP Company and is a member of Fr Murphy Athletic Club, O'Growney Players and the Meath Westmeath Peatland Heritage Group.

Nationally, she is a member of Birdwatch Ireland, Irish Wildlife Trust, Mountaineering Ireland and Astronomy Ireland.

She decided to run in this election as "our community needs to be represented by somebody who believes in justice and equality above all. And that includes reducing the rural versus urban divide which is prevalent where we live."

"I want all political parties to work together to approve meaningful Climate Change legislation.

"My partner and I are currently rewilding a 10-acre habitat which had been left fallow for a number of years. We have added to the existing native hedging and are hoping to add ponds and native trees while leaving plenty of hay meadow untouched."

"I think one of the greatest issues we are facing at the moment is the spread of misinformation. Right wing extremists are able to gather so quickly. We need to use technology, traditional media and social media to rapidly counteract misinformation. Everybody has the right to protest but it is important we all have unbiased and factual information first. There are huge tech giants based in Ireland and we should be asking for their assistance along with media broadcasters and newspapers in getting facts out there as quickly as possible to counteract false claims."