![Julie O'Donoghue said that she has felt 'increasingly disappointed' in recent weeks by votes and decisions taken by the party and 'no longer wish[es] to be associated with the actions of the government'](https://www.rte.ie/images/00149e2c-800.jpg)
Roscommon Green Party spokesperson Julie O'Donoghue has resigned from the party and distanced herself from its actions in Government.
Ms O'Donoghue ran for the Green Party in the General Election for Roscommon-Galway earlier this year, but said the programme for government and recent events are not reflective of the message she campaigned on.
In a statement on social media, she said: "I no longer feel that I am a member of a party that is aligned with my own values and principles or, indeed, its own policies."
She added that she has felt "increasingly disappointed" in recent weeks by votes and decisions taken by the party and "no longer wish[es] to be associated with the actions of the government."
Furthermore, the programme for government, which she voted against, will "not deliver the transformative change" she campaigned for and "will not deliver the fair transition to a low carbon society that the climate and biodiversity emergency requires."
Today I resigned my membership of the Green Party.
— Julie O' Donoghue (@Julie_ODonoghue) July 28, 2020
This is not a decision that I have taken lightly and I have given it careful consideration over a number of weeks. I am leaving for a number of reasons but, ultimately, I no longer feel that I am a member of a party that is
Ms O’Donoghue added that she has registered with the newly formed grouping, named the Just Transition Greens, which she hopes will develop into a separate political party that is "committed to real change".
She said: "I am extremely grateful to everyone who canvassed, supported and voted for me.
"I know that my decision has disappointed some, but I am confident that it is the correct decision for me and that I am staying true to commitments that I made throughout the General Election campaign."
During the election Ms O’Donoghue increased the Green Party's support in Roscommon-Galway, she was eliminated on the third count with 1,610 votes.
Last week, Green Party general election candidate for Mayo Saoirse McHugh announced that she left the party.
Ms McHugh said the coalition Government would do massive damage to the idea of environmentalism by linking it to socially regressive policies.
On Twitter, Ms McHugh said that she did not believe that a pathway to a just and free society lay in electoral politics and she would continue to work for climate justice, but the Green party no longer provided a vehicle to do that
