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Green Party to “Take Soundings” On Government
Read more about: Fianna Fail, Green Party, Irish Election, Irish Politics, Parties
Make of it what you will, the Green’s (clearly not reading Mark Hennessy’s blog) have just sent out a press release on their government options (below the fold and unedited-to allow for fullest interpretation by readers);
The Green Party today entered a period of reflection on the outcome of the General Election. Party Leader Trevor Sargent TD welcomed the election to the Dáil of Mary White in Carlow-Kilkenny, while he also deeply regretted the loss of Dan Boyle in Cork South Central.
Deputy Sargent said: “With six TDs elected to the 30th Dáil, the Green Party is in a strong position to implement its progressive policy agenda. We have held our representation in Dáil Éireann and increased our vote in extremely difficult circumstances. We experienced the same ’squeeze’ as other small parties, but unlike Sinn Féin, the PDs, Labour and the Socialists, we managed to maintain our level of representation.
“Our Parliamentary Party has held initial discussions this afternoon and over the next days we will be taking soundings within the party on how to proceed. We want a responsible, stable and effective government and at this stage we are ruling nothing out,” concluded Deputy Sargent.
Labour and the Socialists, we managed to maintain our level of representation.
haven’t Labour come back with same representation?
I notice the word “stable”. I think FF are playing them by highlighting the PD/IND option.
I think FF are playing them by highlighting the PD/IND option.
Yeah I read in places he would need to resign to go into power, but he has been using the party democracy card for the whole campaign.
If the party decided to go in he would hardly be in an untenable position (ignorant as I am of internal Green politics, this could be a very peripheral point though)
Sargent admitted himself that if they went in with FF, he would resign as party leader but would be willing to sit at the cabinet table!
Labour down 1 to 20. Must admit I’m fairly astounded that they’re going for this so quickly. But…I heard from sources inside them that they think FF and Labour are already in talks. So perhaps they really want to get into government.
Have to say it’s amazing how the issue of sleaze seems to have been washed away by Aherns election ‘win’. And those I know inside GR, or at least some, would be utterly anti-FF. Very strange.
Labour: lost Dublin North and Kerry South, but also ‘lost’ Carlow-Kilkenny (in 2002, Pattison was automatically returned as the incumbent Ceann Comhairle). Added Dublin Mid-West and Cork South Central. Plus two, minus three.
I cannot for a moment imagine Sargeant, Gormley or White taking the Ministerial Merc or tandem up to Blundellstown to watch Bertie cut the ribbon on the M3 and open the Hill of Tara Burger Palace and Paddywhackery Emporium. If the Greens go into Govt with the Builders Party then they are finished.
Gordon
I don’t think so. They would a good watchdog on FF and could get ministries that they want. They want change and you only get that done from the inside, not the opposition benches. It could be the making of them, particularly if the government does a good job over its term. They want to be in power and probably need to be. And regardless of differences, if Haughey and O’Malley could do a deal, anyone can.
I think this would be a dangerous but necessary step for Comhaontas Glas. The front runner formation talked about is FF/PD/Ind’s which includes Beverly Flynn and possibly Michael Lowry which seems to me a step into the past, some with colourful pasts at that. The Greens would bring some much needed new and lateral thinking to a very stale and tired Governement. The concern would be that FF at next election would ‘do the dog’ as they did with the PD’s and take credit for the good and blame their small partner on the not so good. However, real politic suggests that to change the status quo, one must step up to the mark.
‘…………inside every car exists the perfect cyclist…………………..’