John Gormley (born 4 August 1959) is an Irish former Green Party politician who served as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from June 2007 to January 2011, Leader of the Green Party from June 2007 to May 2011 and Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1994 to 1995. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South-East constituency from 1997 to 2011. Early and personal life Born in Dublin, Gormley was educated in St Munchin's College, Limerick, University College Dublin and the University of Freiburg. Prior to entering full-time politics, he ran an academy of European languages. He has held many positions in the Green Party including campaign director for the successful anti-smog campaign in the 1980s. He contested his first general election in 1989, in the Dublin South-East constituency, but was not elected. He also unsuccessfully contested the 1989 Seanad election and 1992 general election. In 1990, he wrote The Green Guide For Ireland, containing advice on how to live and campaign environmentally. He lives in Ringsend with his wife, Penny, and their son and daughter. Political life In 1991, he was elected to Dublin City Council. During his time as a member he was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1994 to 1995, the first Green Party Councillor to serve as Lord Mayor. As Lord Mayor, he launched Dublin Gay Pride week in 1995. Lord Mayor He was the first Lord Mayor to launch Dublin Gay Pride week in 1995, although his predecessor, Thomas Macgiolla had met with participants in the March in the previous year. His Lord Mayor's Commission on Cycling, which produced a report on Cycling in Dublin, was seen as a significant advance for cycling in the city. He also helped with the introduction of Sli na Slainte, a network of signposted walks for those seeking exercise to combat heart disease. As part of the peace process he undertook a joint visit to the United States with the Lord Mayor of Belfast Hugh Smyth, of the Progressive Unionist Party. Gormley also welcomed Prince Charles to the Mansion House (Residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin). He subsequently met with protestors against the visit of Charles and agreed to visit the site of the Bloody Sunday Memorial in Derry. He was the first elected representative in Ireland to have an email address, and when launching a new Irish web site, the virtual Irish