Greens make historic decision to go for government.

	Green Party delegates vote with an 86% majority to join Fianna Fail in the formation of the 30th Dail CitiZenJon reports Green Party members, 510 members to be exact, traveled from all over the country today to attend a specially convened conference to debate and vote on proposals from the majority party Fianna Fail to enter a coalition to form the next government. Outside the Mansion House party faithful and protesters alike waited eagerly for the results of delegates’ decision. After the vote, press were invited inside to hear the decision. The packed hall, hushed to silence as the announcement was made. A majority of 86% voted to accept FF’s proposals. Green leader, Trevor Sargent, also announced he would be stepping down as leader, following his campaign statement that he would not go into government with FF.
CitiZenJon reports from the Green Pary Conference
Greens leader Trevor Sargent was swarmed by media who jostled and jigged for position to question Mr. Sargent on his decision to step down.During the electoral campaign Sargent had repeatedly stated that he would not go into government with Fianna Fail. Sargent, showing a largesse rarely seen in Irish politics, decided to step down to pave the way for the party to enter government tomorrow when the 30th Dail convenes to create the new government cabinet. The Greens compromised on several policy issues such as the use of Shannon airport by US troops on their way to Iraq and on the contentious route of the new M3 motorway through the historic Tara area.They also had to step back from opposing the co-location of public and private hospitals on private land which they had vociferously opposed during the election. As debate raged inside over the policy compromises conceded by the party, outside protesters waited quietly. The sudden about-turn on these ‘core’ issues has generated serious debate among their constituents. The decision by the Greens will allow the party to enter government for the first time in their 25 year history.
	Sargent announces his resignation from the leadership of Greens

The Green Party

A disappointing year so far from greens

Trevor Sargent TD	John Gormley TD	Eamon Ryan TD	Paul Gogarty TD

I have been disappointed with the Greens performance so far this year. With so much ammunition (furnished by the current Fianna Fail government) concerning waste, water, power, the marine and overall poor investment in Ireland’s infrastructure one would have thought they would have been one of the most vocal parties in the Dail. The Irish Times, Ireland’s paper of record has predicted big things for 2007.

Five years ago, the Greens won six Dáil seats with slightly less than four per cent of the vote and if opinion poll figures carry though to the current election, they could end up with 10 or more TDs this time around. At this stage of the proceedings, the Greens look like an essential component of any secure Rainbow coalition and will very likely find themselves being wooed by Fianna Fáil at the same time.

Sargent has said he will step down if the Greens go in with Fianna Fáil, it seems like this habit is catching, but that he is willing to serve as a minister in such a coalition. It’s an intriguing, some would say jesuitical, proposition from Sargent who is generally seen as a choir-boy innocent in the cynical hurly-burly of Irish politics.

The Green leader showed up at Dunlaoghire to the farmers’ market to comment on ‘organic sellers’

Fianna Fail

Bertie Ahern Boss	Dermot Ahern	Michael Ahern	Noel Ahern	Liam Aylward	Seamus Brennan

The Usual Suspects

Notice the first four pictures are all Ahern’s. So, granted, they’re not all related, but it does suggest to me that Fianna Fail is a big family.

They have also governed Ireland through the country’s economic boom (although many attribute this to EU subsidies kickstarting this growth). The money factor will be a big BIG factor in the upcoming election in Ireland and I am confident that they will make much of this in their election manifesto.

However, FF have been dogged by controvercies (Haugheygate, Laylorgate etc.) and much is made of the entrenched attitude of government to transparency of its institutions. Tribunals have been numerous and damaging for the ruling party. But when it comes to track record, as Clinton said, “It’s all about the economy stupid.”