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Green-FF talks break down
Read more about: Fianna Fail, Government, Green Party, Irish Politics 
So says RTE (and now ireland.com). No Green convention on Sunday then, most likely. Bertie needs a new plan (which maybe is just the old one). Edit: confirmed by the conference. No deal. Sargent cites differences/blockages on transport, education funding, health. Edit 2: Statement below fold
The Green Party concluded talks with Fianna Fáil today without agreement on formation of a new government. After six days of intensive talks Party Leader Trevor Sargent TD concluded that the differing approaches between the parties to tackling climate chance, funding education and implementing government reform were insurmountable, and, as a result, the Party’s leadership could not recommend to its membership a viable programme for government. The special convention planned for Sunday has been cancelled.
Trevor Sargent TD, said: “On behalf of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas, I wish to announce that negotiations on the formation of a government with Fianna Fáil have now concluded without agreement.
“At the beginning of this process we set the objective of forming a stable government and securing a sustainable future for this country. While many areas of common ground were identified, it was not possible at this time to construct a programme for government that met with the minimum policy objectives of both parties.
“The decision to end the talks was taken after a series of cordial and constructive meetings between both teams of negotiators. These detailed discussions were entered into with good faith and every avenue was explored in order to come up with a workable document.
“However, despite clear areas of agreement, it was not possible to identify common ground on a number of core policy issues of importance to the Party. These areas include:
· Measures to tackle climate change, including forward-thinking transport and congestion solutions
· Funding to bring the education system into the 21st century
· The transformation of local government, including action to modernise the decision-making and planning processes
· Reform of the health care system
“In each of these areas substantial blockages still remain. Because of this, the Party does not believe it could enter government and stand over the policy proposals.
“I would like to thank our team of negotiators and backroom staff for their professionalism and dedication. I would also like to praise our membership and our elected representatives for the continued discipline shown during the past week.
“We remain committed to forming a government and will continue to explore all avenues with this in mind. However the current deal on offer is not sufficient and will not best serve the interests of our country,” concluded Deputy Sargent.
[ENDS]
Halleluliah – the Greens have seen the light – don’t do business with Bartholomew Patrick! The Greens have decided not to be turkeys voting for Christmas.
Gordon
so perhaps I am right then ?
Also from today’s Irish Times.
The RTÉ bankruptcy case against recently elected Independent TD for Mayo Beverly Flynn will come before the High Court on June 18th. The proceedings arise over her alleged failure to pay any of the €2.84 million legal costs arising from her unsuccessful libel action against the station and its chief news correspondent, Charlie Bird.
The case will have considerable implications for Ms Flynn’s status as a TD.
I’d say Michael Lowry’s mobile is buzzing like mad.
Thank God and what a surprise. FF PD Ind just like it should be.
Dermot, I wouldnt get too confident of that yet. Lowry and the two left-independents may choose to keep powder dry for a failed 14 June Dail vote. In which case Bertie could well reckon that Independents are more of a worry than they are worth.
If he wants stability (as courting the Greens suggests he does) he is as likely to hold talks with Labour than not. Perhaps by keeping Harney on the agenda he can force Labours cabinet demands down by forcing a trade on the issue-drop a ministerial seat in order to get health and keep PDs out.
RTE confirms that the Mansion House convention is off, as there’s nothing right now to discuss.
It seems to me to be all about planning. Can’t see education funding falling it. Who doesn’t want more funding. But one thing on education was the provision of land for schools by developers.
FF ministers seem shocked.
The Greens are shown up for what they are – a party of protest not of government. Roll on 5 more years!
Not really Brian the fact that they are not totally against FF but have there bottom line. For instance would the PD’s drop co-location for power? Would that be about protest
You’ve bumped your head again Brian! The Greens are a party of principle, and are clearly not prepared to whore themselves out to whoever will have them unlike the PDs, if that’s what they’re still called!
“Roll on 5 more years”
…and the complete destruction of the PDs. Amen to that.
JG is right, the PDs should be wary of more years in government with FF. The electorate may seek to finish the job, as they see it, in getting rid. I think they would benefit from government with different parties to be honest. It will hardly happen but may be of more use to them.
Good point simon, it seems that the smaller parties are far more interested in those red-lines on policy reinforcing the view that the big parties will do whatever the smaller one pushes.
Noel Grealish was asked on Morning Ireland if he’d go back to FF and he refused to answer. The PDs days are numbered.
I have to admire the Greens in sticking to their guns. They showed their pragmatism in talking to FF and their integrity in not doing a deal when the gap turned out to be too wide.
So, the smaller parties better start fundraising for next year’s General Election!
Gordon
Ruairi Quinn didn’t exactly deny interest in the CC’s job on the news….
Cretins. All that has happened is that FF have found out what the bottom line for the greens is. Bertie now knows what his bottom line is so that his new objective is to beat the agreement he would have to make with the greens. He will now negotiate with the Pd’s/indp and then with labour knowing what his bottom line has to be. The Greens have done Bertie a favour but not themselves. If they negotiate with FG and reach agreement, their members will assume it is a compromise and weaker than the agreement on offer from FF.
BTW FG/Labour had an agreement going into this election and the electorate either voted for it or they didn’t. They did not vote for FF/Lab and if democracy is to be truely served an election would have to be held before such a govt. could be voted for. Allow the people decide whether this combination is what they want.
Bye Bye Green Hello PD.
PD and FF and ind to form next government.
Harney to be minister for health. Co-location to stay in place. Grealish to get a Junior.
and PDs wil get a least three Seanad Seats. Mc Dowell back as AG and then on to the High Court once vacancy arises.
5 more years of great Government. FG back in opposition where they deserve to be for another 5 years (to compliment with the past 20 years albeit under the leadership of young John Deasy (joke). Labour to considering merging with FG as they appear to have no other function other than to prop up that party. ( Imagine Lab could have come within a 5/6 seat swing of replacing FG as the main opposition but instead formed part of an “alliance” that increased the margin to 30 seats). The green are nothing more than a middle class fashion trend and will be dismissed in 2012.
PD to win 9 -10 seats in the 2012 General election and return to power with FF.
Dermot whatever ur smoking, I want some!
Fianna Fail / Greens still the most likely government.