We've reached the Mark Ruffalo stage of not having a government.
Hollywood superstar Mark Ruffalo will be making an unexpected guest appearance this evening as part of an online Green Party discussion about fracking.
Ruffalo, known for playing The Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (as well as some more sophisticated roles), has actively lobbied the Irish government in the past to commit to a ban on fracking.
The livestream event will kick off at 7pm this evening (22 June), and Ryan will digitally join Eamon Ryan and Catherine Martin, who are both in the running to be the next leader of the Green Party.
Ruffalo's appearance comes as the Green Party leadership tries to convince 66% of its members to support the Programme for Government agreed with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
"For years, U.S. and Irish campaigners have worked together to achieve a ban on fracking in Ireland. Now the PFG is an opportunity for a monumental achievement for Ireland to become the first country in the world to ban fracked gas imports. This is crucial for our shared climate, as well as for the public health of Americans,” said Mark Ruffalo.
"I have been advocating for ten years with Americans who have been poisoned by fracking, many who live in the areas that would supply Ireland with fracked gas.
"I’m thankful that US anti-fracking activists contacted Green Party leaders to support the Programme for Government and that I can lend my support in this critical moment. The result of this decision will impact the health and human rights of many Americans for decades to come."
Activists opposed to fracking, the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks, boreholes, etc. so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas, say it can contaminate water supplies, cause unnatural seismic activity, and furthers the world's reliance on fossil fuels.
