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Post by earl on Jun 13, 2007 11:07:42 GMT
Have you anything to back this up mate, because it would seem that from your post, the Greens have conceded everything, and FF nothing. If the only Green policy introduced is that crappy carbon tax policy - the one policy of theirs I didn't like, then surely the vote today within the party on the terms will fail? This is the worst case scenario contract for government with FF that can be made. Any sources would be appreciated.
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Post by earl on Jun 13, 2007 11:30:25 GMT
Have you some inside source Setanta, because according to the latest reports, the details of the deal have not been released yet.
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Post by earl on Jun 13, 2007 12:33:00 GMT
I can't see them getting the required 2-1 vote in favour of government if everyone sticks to their principles. So far, I can't see anything that has gone in the Greens favour in concessions. If this was the agreement which passed, then WTF was up for discussion in the previous round of talks which collapsed?? This has FF bully boy tactics written all over it.
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Post by Shades40 on Jun 13, 2007 12:45:27 GMT
I've got just the man to sort them tree huggers out   |
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Post by earl on Jun 13, 2007 13:50:14 GMT
I've got just the man to sort them tree huggers out Is that Peter 'ex-Ulster Resistence member, lets invade Monaghan and beat up the Guards' Robinson? If it isn't, it's his twin brother! |
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Post by earl on Jun 14, 2007 12:33:29 GMT
FF have pulled a masterstroke. They let the Greens keep one or two kooky ideas like carbon tax, which will increase revenue and then they just have to turn around coming up to 2012 and blame it all on the greens! FF always needs a fall guy, looks like it's the greens turn.
So far, not looking good. So lets see what happens over the coming months.
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Post by earl on Jun 14, 2007 12:41:38 GMT
Sargent resigns as Greens enter government
Some 86 per cent of Green Party members tonight voted in favour of entering a Fianna Fáil-led coalition. It will be the first time the party, founded 25 years ago, will have been in government.
More than 500 members were at the Mansion House in Dublin since early afternoon to be briefed on, and debate, the terms of a draft programme for government hammered over 10 days of negotiating.
The party leadership was in buoyant mood after the overwhelming endorsement - only 67 members voted against the proposal, with 441 voting in support.
But before speculation could shift to the position of the party leader, Trevor Sargent announced his resignation from the position.
While he never ruled out joining a Fianna Fáil coalition during the election campaign, Mr Sargent had said he would step down if it happened.
Speaking after the votes were counted, Mr Sargent said: "This, my friends, is the proudest day of my life. It's the day when courage won out.
"It's a day when a hunger for change won out over the status quo."
Having been criticised for considering joining forces with Fianna Fáil, notable by the party's founder and first TD, Roger Garland, Mr Sargent struck a conciliatory note.
"Those who voted no, also made a courageous decision," he said.
"I'm stepping down on the basis that I said I would step down. My word is my bond. I am honour-bound to step down.
"I brought this party to the crossroads and I think it is now time..."
The process to elect a new leader would be a "step-by-step" process starting with a meeting of its executive committee, Mr Sargent said. While he did not rule out a return to leadership, he stressed that "being a leader took time" and "there's plenty of talent there to have a new leader."
Among the commitments the Greens are signing up to is the introduction of new targets to cut emissions, a carbon tax, increased investment in renewable energy, an analysis of the transport sector based on environmental concerns and increased spending on education.
Green Party negotiator and TD John Gormley thanked the party delegates for their " overwhelming support". Making the decision had encompassed a range of emotions, from "joy to tears", he said.
But he said going into coalition with Fianna Fáil was the only way Green Party policy could be implemented. "I hope that we can full the expectation, a heavy burden falls on our shoulders," he said.
Green Party negotiator Dan Boyle admitted this afternoon that some members had concerns about the proposal. "People are expressing areas they have disappointment..." he said.
The "good atmosphere" he spoke of was not spoiled by anti-war demonstrations outside the Mansion House where protestors pointed out the party's glaring u-turn by not obtaining an end to the continued use of Shannon airport by Iraq-bound United States military flights.
Former MEP Patricia McKenna was one of the most high-profile of opponents to the coalition deal on grounds of the party's vehement stance on the issue.
The Greens have also accepted that the controversial M3 motorway which is to run near the Hill of Tara, will go ahead, despite its previous vociferous opposition to the plan.
Fianna Fáil refused to offer any concessions to the Greens on another one of its key election platforms - the demand for an end to political parties and politicians accepting corporate donations.
This morning, founder of the Green Party in Ireland Roger Garland warned that a deal with Fianna Fáil could lead to the "wipe-out" of the party. Mr Garland said he felt "betrayed" by the current leadership and described concessions made by its negotiating team as "unbelievably bad".
But the European Green Party today urged Irish members to vote in favour of entering government.
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Post by sideshow on Jun 14, 2007 14:14:59 GMT
I m inclined to agree with you setanta on this.I read the paper today and was dissapointed with what the greens had accepted-Particularly with regard to the m3 and corporate donations.I suppose they were blinded by the idea of getting into the dail and accepted bertie's 30 pieces of silver.I'd have liked them to have gotten the responsibility for transport as I think theyre in earnest about tackling this issue and would have made a proper long term plan as opposed to FF's strategy-roads,roads ,and more roads.On the positive side I dont think the greens will do any harm in govt and may curb the current haphazard(lack of) planning in rural ireland.Question is;are fianna fail too streetwise and cunning for these ideological greenhorns?
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Post by An Fear Dubh on Jun 15, 2007 0:36:26 GMT
Surely Setanta for a seasoned party activist the shredding of election promies should not come as a big surprise. Especially when negotiating from a weak position like the Greens were in. The reality of mainstream political life is very different to high ground of minority politics. But all is not lost in one swoop, there are 4 years of government, but you must admire Bertie and Cowen they have stitched up everyone.
They made SF unacceptable to themselves and in a way that FG had to follow suit. Thus straight away, FG was never going to form any mix match. Lowery and Finian (does Finian not have past links with FG?) are like scorned lovers of FG. The PD's are given Health, and that robot Harney wanted it desperately!! Now they will cut the health budget, and Harney with economic heart of a true PD will proform like only a rabbid PD can. Being enviornmental and meeting the EU standards cost, so give the Green minister Gormless Gormley more money and blame budgets cuts, income tax rises, high inflation, interest rate rises all on the Greens enviornmental demands.
Then come next election, the FG/Lab pre-election pact will not resurface, nor will pre-election statements about possible partners in the next Dáil come from Labour. Leaving the way open for FF/Lab government and term 4 for Bertie!
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