The Green Party is holding its annual conference in Co Kilkenny, with the party hoping to build momentum ahead of the upcoming by-elections.
Hundreds of Green Party members have gathered at the Newpark Hotel for the two-day convention.
The event will include a keynote speech from party leader Roderic O’Gorman, and the party’s newly-elected deputy leader, Councillor Hazel Chu.
Mr O’Gorman has already held a discussion on the party’s strategic plans and insights, alongside one of the party’s candidates in the forthcoming by-election in May, Cllr Janet Horner who will run in Dublin Central.
Former councillor Niall Murphy will stand in Galway West in the seat vacated by the President Catherine Connolly.
Roderic O’Gorman told the gathered delegates that as well as policy detail, he was aware of the need to appeal to people’s emotions.
As Ireland chairs the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July, he said the party would be keeping an eye on the environmental, climate and major social issues that will be discussed.
Speaking earlier ahead of the conference, Mr O’Gorman said: “The Green Party message is more necessary than ever as this Government continues to abandon its climate commitments and undermine the Green agenda, choosing political point scoring over people and the planet at every turn.
“Our members are passionate advocates of climate action and social justice, and that energy will galvanise support for Janet Horner and Niall Murphy in the forthcoming by-elections.”