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THE GREEN PARTY has been called “politically promiscuous” in the recent past. During the Virgin Media debate ahead of the election, co-host Matt Cooper accused leader Eamon Ryan of being willing to “get into bed with anyone”.
But are there any terms under which the party would not enter into a coalition with other parties?
The Greens have only entered into government once as junior partner in a Fianna Fáil coalition from 2007 to 2011.
Its image and seats suffered as a result. The FF-Green government was in power at the time of the economic crash, and in the 2011 election all six of its sitting TDs were turfed out.
In 2016, the party returned two seats – leader Eamon Ryan and deputy leader Catherine Martin. The party now has 12 TDs across five different counties and will be the fourth largest party elected to the new Dáil.
A spokesperson for the party said:
Any programme for government looking for Green Party support will need to show serious and committed action on climate change and biodiversity loss in a way that protects the vulnerable, improves people’s quality of life, and is sustainable.
TheJournal.ie also spoke to a few of the party’s nine newest TDs this week, all of whom responded along similar lines.
Carlow/Kilkenny TD Malcolm Noonan said he will “have to see how the negotiations will go”, and did not have any personal red lines that would lead to him leaving the party if it entered a particular coalition.
Dublin Central’s Neasa Hourigan said:
“The manifestos of the three main parties were poor on climate.
I don’t envisage any splits in the party [or] any decision made within the party that results in one or two Green TDs leaving as a result.
Limerick City TD Brian Leddin said he “doesn’t really talk about red lines” as the negotiations are complex, saying he believes “we should be talking to all parties”.
The Green Party’s Saoirse McHugh, who unsuccessfully ran in the general election for a seat in Mayo, previously insisted that she would leave the party if it entered into a coalition government with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.
The Green parliamentary party met on Tuesday and agreed to talk to all other parties. So far, leader Eamon Ryan has met with the leaders of Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Mary Lou McDonald described her meeting with Ryan as “useful and constructive”.
Possible government formations
Speaking to TheJournal.ie ahead of the election, Ryan questioned whether Sinn Féin’s manifesto would correlate with the Green Party.
“In terms of us coming to any talks, it is a scale change – it is at least a 7% reduction in emissions,” Ryan said, adding that looking at the Sinn Féin manifesto, “there is no real commitment to that scale of change”.
When it comes to carbon tax, likely to arise as an issue in any coalition discussions, the Greens want to keep it, Sinn Féin is against any increases, while Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael want to increase the tax each year.
Ryan said carbon tax is ”an important part of the jigsaw” but might not be the biggest stumbling block when it comes to discussions with Sinn Féin.
The ‘big three’ election manifesto climate promises
As the party will be looking to work with those who show “serious and committed” action on climate change and biodiversity loss, what are some of the promises and aims from the biggest parties relating to these areas?
In the Green Party’s election manifesto, it says Ireland will need to reduce carbon emissions by 7.6% per year for the next decade “at a minimum”.
The party also says it would implement the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill to strengthen the powers of the Climate Change Advisory Council and introduce new five-year climate budgets.
In Fine Gael’s election manifesto, the party says it will “drive innovation to reduce emissions” in agriculture and greenhouse gases.
The party said it is committed to reducing the country’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
Fianna Fáil has promised a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through expanding the bio-economy nationwide and carbon sequestration through afforestation.
Sinn Féin has outlined that it would reduce emissions “across all sectors” including energy, transport and agriculture.
It said a government run by the party would immediately legislate for binding sectoral targets on certain industries for emissions reduction enforced by the State.
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When you see The Green party leader Eamon Ryan driving out of the Dáil gates in a 2.5 litre Diesel van the other night,…you just know you’ve been sold a pup..
@Noely Kelly: there is def no green lines in the green party they supported fracking off the coast in the last government they ignore the LMG fracked gas station paid for by the EU importing fracked gas from all over the world. Want green vote socialist vote sol pbp
@Noely Kelly: I think that’s a eco friendly bio diesel vw van.
@DERRY1973: These people don’t do facts……they are more interested in toxic waffle.
@Noely Kelly: I find this very hard to believe, have you any proof to go along with it ?
@Matthew O’Kane: Eamon Ryan was the minister in charge when the Gardaí and private thugs were beating the head off people during the Shell – Corrib debacle.
PLUS, he was the one who screwed the OAP’s with the fuel tax, thereby hammering their Coal, Turf and Briquettes,
They are a nasty, nasty party
@Sos: you know the carbon tax targets the poorest in their cars and home heating disgustingregressiveness and they dont even use the money to buy people electric cars this is fact its another way to sqeeze those least able to pay with taxes they cant avoid. Greens willbankrupt you
@Sos: go to Facebook and search longford housing network
@Sos: there ye go mare https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=730187164177958&id=531782834018393
@Noely Kelly: pretty much all diesels can be converted to bio diesel. I think this is the case here. Im not a fan of the greens but the man has a large family & I don’t know of any electric family sized vehicle on the market yet (i could be wrong).
@Matthew O’Kane: the poorest in our society, can you please clarify what you mean by that ? People over 65 – Warmer home schemes. Meaning they need to use a lot less fuel to heat their homes. Council house tenants also benefit from this. Who exactly are you referring to ?
@Seamus Mac: regardless of that..
.
In January 2018 the EU voted to ban the use of palm-based biofuels by 2020. … In the revised agreement, palm oil will remain in use at the 2019 level until 2023, after which it will be phased out by 2030.Nov 4, 2019
In January, the European Parliament (EP) voted to ban the use of palm oil for the production of biofuels in the European Union (EU) by 2020, with the proclaimed aim to stop the deforestation of rainforests in mainly Indonesia and Malaysia. … First of all, the exports of palm oil will go down somewhat and so will prices.
@Noely Kelly: that doesn’t really tell me anything? How do I know what engine this is ? Genuine question
@Sos: is your Google broken ??
Genuine question…
@Noely Kelly: Its a 2003 Caravelle hybrid. He said so publicly. Passenger vehicle and not a van. Proves he never took the shilling. No Tesla here. Better to be driven than scrapped.
He has a lot of kids including teenagers. Gardai were not best pleased that instead of a Merc he insisted on a Prius when Minister.
He was a conscientious and straight Minister. Used public transport when abroad and out of site of prying journos.
Think you should withdraw the slur!
@Matthew O’Kane: this is a ridiculous comment. Have you read the Green Party manifesto? We already have a carbon tax and it is set to increase year on year. The greens have stated that they plan on “introducing a mechanism to return all the revenues raised from further increases to citizens by increasing social welfare payments and tax credits.”
Please stop spouting uninformed misinformation. Thanks.
@Noely Kelly: the greens are nasty? Coming from a SF supporter! If people actually believe this crap we really are in a bad way as a country.
@Noely Kelly: so you sent me a link to a Facebook page which shows a grey van type thing leaving Leinster House. Again, I ask – how does this show me what engine the vehicle has. How do you propose I use google to remedy this ?
@Sos: This is what happens when you go for the cheap shot. Proof is what his old hybrid is and the fact that he said it publicly. See my post.
@Matthew O’Kane: On the button .See my post about “Van”.
@David Glynn: Exactly it’s bullshit. When you try and get actual proof, IE fact checking they don’t like that. I should just not question it and rely on the Longford housing Facebook page for all my news now. Beggars belief to be honest.
@Noely Kelly: More toxic stuff. Would you prefer we relied on imports from Russia to maintain security of supply and keep the lights on via an interconnection in Irish sea. We had no gas storage.
And the rent a crowd thugs who don’t do peaceful protest. As to fossil fuels their day is done and that includes gas
All the calamities they predicted with the Corrib pipeline never happened.
@Sos: that’s the problem we have now. I have seen some utterly ridiculous stuff in the last 2 weeks and fools are falling for it.
If you try to point out that something is exaggerated or untrue you’re painted as a homeless hating goon who is happy to have kids eating off cardboard on the ground. It’s toxic.
@Jane: a party who taxed the elderly on their Coal, turf and briquettes, a green party leader, who, as Minister oversaw the awful beating Shell/Corrib were given while he sat on his hands and did nothing about it…what would you call them??
@Noely Kelly: i keep seeing him on a bike going through Rathmines
Mind you that was before the election haven’t seen him since
@Ciara Larkin: so you admit taking money off people to give it back to em later why is the money just resting in the greens account, isnt it strange that the first things the greens get done is taking money outta peoples pockets not the health housing or climate crisis always the reach into where they cant be blocked with a promise diwn the line of charity? Some nerve some cheek
@Seamus Mac: why can’t he share a car? Like his proposal for rural dwellers?
@Joe Browne: greens wouldnt share the green 100 euro note that bought them. Carbon taxes cut deep you cant afford the rent or food on the table the greens will get you back later …. but later never comes
@Matthew O’Kane: we already have a carbon tax! The Greens are not implementing one, they are (and have been) calling for a clear explanation as to where the money is going and want to set out a carbon dividend plan.
Later never comes with green the record in government its up to the voters who trust you to decide which comes first food rent or green words from a water charge bank bailout party
@Joe Browne:
Probably because there were 11 passengers going his way, and as he couldn’t fit them all in he kept driving causing only collective disappointment.
@Matthew O’Kane: Also:
——Speaking after the Green Party conference in Cork, Mr Ryan the proposed doubling of the tax could be offset by offering an immediate dividend in the Budget.
“We want to do it as a dividend. It would be 100pc returned. It would be through the social welfare system and the tax system. It would be a cash payment in advance of the revenue being raised because you can predict how much will be raised,” Mr Ryan said.
He said that under the Green Party plan everyone in the country would get €180 every year via a social welfare payment or a tax credit. This would rise as the carbon tax is increased every year.——
@Ciara Larkin: redtape around your wages there you go folks slow dip back of money you earned months ago while the rent is due the kids are hungry the climate becomes uninhabitable but at least everyone paid for the tp 100 comapanies creating 70% of the emiision greens will get you back later
@Matthew O’Kane: it is to be paid in advance. You would literally get an advance of €180.
@Ciara Larkin: That’s EXACTLY what happens when you go to a dodgy money lender…
@Noely Kelly: Fine, I’m sure we can find a way for you to opt out…
@Ciara Larkin: opt out of carbon taxes? ill tell how you opt out, dont vote green dont encourage the players, they have no a green in them ill ive seen is actions that benfit to the banks funding the fosdil fuels with the green bailout and thefracking off the coast that the greens over saw in government or the water charges that activated me.
@Matthew O’Kane: Again, carbon taxes already exist. Obviously you can’t opt out of carbon taxes. The Greens propose a carbon dividend. The other major parties suggest a “claim back” method for specific groups of people. The Green suggestion is obviously better… If the dividend is actually chosen as the method for protecting against inequality and you still think it’s evil then you can just not apply for it. You will still have to pay the tax.
None of these issues are Green Party-specific. Perhaps the government hasn’t worked for you in the past, you are entitled to be upset but I don’t know why you are so afraid of the Green Party.
@Jane: the level of intelligent debate has gone through the floor on here: dare to speak outside of the SF groupthink echo chamber and you’re accused of allsorts! Seriously, someone yesterday equated Mickey Martin with Kim Jong Un and FF of being like N Korea regime for refusing to talk to SF and got an ass load of thumbs up. . If the journal is representative of the average voter, the country is screwed. But of course its not: it’s been taken over by Shinnerbots.
@Ciara Larkin: who’s this we? You part of the green team or something?? Lol
@Matthew O’Kane: first thing SF shouted about was Irish unity, even though they themselves said it was not a big topic on the doorstep. After elections is when you really see parties priorities. For the greens it’s tax everything to meet their aim, for SF it’s Irish unity. I don’t think the other big two know their priorities hence the election result. At least the greens are consistent. The said they will tax a lot and they will.
@Noely Kelly: bio diesel
@Noely Kelly: Perhaps something could be done to help the OAPs move to more environmentally friendly heating. We can no longer cut turf, harvest peat for briquettes or burn coal to prevent further damage to the environment. Climate change and the need to modify the way we live is a relentless train coming down the track – whether we like it or not.
Greens = Taxes
@Willy Mc Entire: which no tax utopia are you currently living in?
@Willy Mc Entire: Taxes = Services
@NotMyIreland: nope green taxes should = grants but it will be available to people who afford electric cars etc.
The greens must think they’re the only party a coalition can do business with. They should stay up a tree where they belong.
@Martin M: you mean importingfrackedgas andfrackìng off the coast the trees are just for cover of their rottenpollution
@Matthew O’Kane: Hold on. The Greens have unequivocally said no to Shannon LNG and fracked gas.
https://twitter.com/greenparty_ie/status/1224475862654947328?s=21
@Ciara Larkin: matthew isn’t a fan of facts.
@Ciara Larkin: they ok with it in government the mythical neo green rises again
@Sos: ill trust my feelings on thepain from the current carbon tax the past water charges the soft opposition tofracking when it suites the laughable excuse for what stands for a green party in ireland. No jill steins need apply just ask shell and they piplines streamlined by greens here
@Matthew O’Kane: I think you honestly believe what you are saying and that is very worrying.
Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe was one of the first people to expose what the FG-led government were trying to do at Shannon. The government pushed forward with the planning application without carrying out an environmental impact assessment, skipping the Dáil and putting the blame on the EU commission.
https://www.greenparty.ie/cuffe-calls-on-government-to-make-the-right-decision-on-shannon-lng-project-and-say-no-to-filthy-fracked-gas/
Although they only had 2 TDS in the last Dáil, the Greens spoke out many times against Shannon LNG, in public, in the EU and in the Dáil. But, they were ignored and silenced by the FG-led government.
https://twitter.com/eamonryan/status/1186674013940191243?s=21
@Ciara Larkin: Before its entry into government, the Green Party had been a vocal supporter of the Shell to Sea movement,[13] the campaign to reroute the M3 motorway away from Tara and (to a lesser extent) the campaign to end United States military use of Shannon Airport.[14] After the party entered government there were no substantive changes in government policy on these issues, which meant that Eamon Ryan oversaw the Corrib gas project while he was in office. The Green Party had, at its last annual conference, made an inquiry into the irregularities surrounding the project (see Corrib gas controversy) a precondition of entering government[15] but changed its stance during post-election negotiations with Fianna Fáil.
@Noely Kelly: I also think that this needs to be clarified. I can’t speak for something that hasn’t been addressed. All I can say is that coalition negotiations involve give and take. If you want the Green Party to have a strong voice and to have more control over these negotiations then you should vote them into government.
@Ciara Larkin: I’d rather vote for the devil, I have SEEN what the greens have done in the past, and how they flip flopped on their red lines for a go at the gravy train….And they’ll do it again, Eamo Ryan is a snake,
I reckon he thought all his birthdays came at once when the climate movement took off and then an election was called, he’s riding the crest of this particular “Green wave”
Why did they impose a tax on the elderly instead of hitting the big companies like Bórd na Móna? and ringfencing OAP’s ability to pay?
@Noely Kelly: we have literally had 100 years of FF and FG flip flopping between ideas. I’m not saying that you have to agree with every decision the Green Party were a part of but your anger towards them seems unfounded. They were never the primary party when these decisions were made. I assume you have double the anger for FF and FG?
You can’t honestly believe that the Green Party are happy because of our current climate and biodiversity crisis? I’m sure they are relieved that we are finally starting to open our eyes but to say that Eamonn Ryan “thought all his birthdays came at once” is absolutely ridiculous. We are failing our Paris agreement targets. The government need to take the crisis seriously, even if it is just to avoid paying the fine.
@Ciara Larkin: 100 companies are responsible for 71% of carbon emissions worldwide…go after them, don’t keep banging the drum about getting the little people to pay for it..
As for paying a fine.. Sure we can buy CARBON CREDITS According to the government…
It’s a joke, sorry if I’m not on your wavelength about the GP, I’ve maybe been around a lot longer than you , and have seen the crap they have pulled in the past,
Ryan has NEVER cared for anything more than his pension, I can guarantee you, if the climate movement wasn’t at it’s height it is, ye wouldn’t have gotten 10% of the votes you got…some of us have long memories.
@Noely Kelly: I agree, we need to target corporations.
Why would you would rather we pay for carbon credits when we could spend that money on improving our own country?
You don’t have to be sorry for your opinion: I also remember the effect of FF and FG, I just don’t blame it on the Greens. You, me and the Greens actually have a lot in common. Maybe if you get a chance to read their manifesto you will agree.
https://www.greenparty.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/GREEN_PARTY_TOWARDS_2030-WEB-VERSION.pdf
@Ciara Larkin: The greens here are all hot air taxing necessities like home heating and cars does not take it away and there will never be enough either public transport or electric cars to replace the necessity to drive to work its all a fudge. Instead of taxing they should give tax incentives to car pool stop the stupid idea that public transport should be profitable rather than break even at best. Work on reducing unnescessary travel like private jets ,cruises, half empty cargo ships and importing exotic fruits and veg from across the atlantic etc. One cruise ship in a year burns more carbon than 25mil cars and theres 300 of them so you do the math as to where the work really needs to be done. .But that would take effort so its a lot easier to tax Joe taxpayer for going to work
Eamonn Ryan pulling out of the dail a few days ago in a 2.5tdi transporter mini bus by himself.the ultimate spoofer
@nicknack: you mean his bio-diesel eco VW – which he’s owned for years?
@Vic’s Burd: you mean the Bio Diesel that is being banned by the EU as it is destroying the forests?
In January, the European Parliament (EP) voted to ban the use of palm oil for the production of biofuels in the European Union (EU) by 2020, with the proclaimed aim to stop the deforestation of rainforests in mainly Indonesia and Malaysia. … First of all, the exports of palm oil will go down somewhat and so will prices.
@Noely Kelly: Your assuming he uses a palm oil based biodiesel. Could be sustainably grown rape seed?
@Vic’s Burd: does it run on banana skins
@NotMyIreland: or maybe it just runs on hot air…no shortage of that emanating from the drivers seat?!!
If they break the support of the left voters & jump into bed with the right-wing FFFG. They can wave goodbye to all credibility.
@Ollie Wolfensberger: or they could jump into bed with hard left/republican socialists instead
@Bobby wilson: Where their transfer votes came from, yes.
@Bobby wilson: or they could jump into bed with hard left/republican socialists instead?
They can wave hello to credibility.
That would be my preferred option.
@Bobby wilson: They can’t get the numbers to form a left government! Labour saying no, SPBP/Ind preference is to stay in opposition(!)
It’s FG/FF or nothing…
@Ollie Wolfensberger: greens have credibilty? After the carbon taxhitting ppl in their heating and cars the water charge handing off 10s of billions of our public infrastructure to a currently semi state body? Importingfracked gas at the LMG? FRACKINGoff the coast while in gòvernment, wish i had that kinda cred its like the cred the banks had from the pension fund and the tax payer, never ending.
@Vic’s Burd: no way will grass roots FF will except going government with FG for a start. My preferred choice would be FF/SF and independents from a FF gene pool background and greens
@Vic’s Burd: let it be nothing so.
The most powerful governments of the world cant stop a virus from spreading, but Eamon Ryan and his party believe they can change the temperature of the planet by increasing taxes.
@Sean Brannigan: you are so right, taxes alone will never fix the climate and biodiversity crisis. This is why we must ensure that every decision we make is made with this crisis in mind. Let’s address housing, health, transport, employment etc. in a way creates a more equal, fair and green Ireland for us all.
One of the few honest parties we have.
Delighted they are king maker.
Hope they have the sense to keep Chameleon Mary Lou from destroying this fastest growing economy in Europe.
@Rúraíocht: yep. Instead of getting anxiety over my lack of savings, wage stagnation, and inability to get on the property ladder, I just check our GDP figure and I feel a lot better.
@Rúraíocht: an economy’s not much good if there’s nobody left to enjoy it! Is it?
@milton friedman:
Milton Friedman is my hero.
Innovation fuels business fuels employment fuels public services.
What do you really think SF will do?
Every government economic policy is citizen centric. FG is not prioritising business over people. Business is a means to an end .. happy voters with jobs & security.
SF however wants a UI .. to appease it’s Marxist & republican core, address social injustice thru giveaways funded by tax from business. This will work in short term but will destroy our FDI reputation overnight.
SF must never be in government. They have no integrity & values are divided across new & legacy interests.
@Rúraíocht: Sorry, “FG is not prioritising business over people?” What stone have you been living under for the last 9 years??
A red line for the Greens with government in sight? Lol. Martin could fly in on a fossil fuel emitting private jet tossing his Supermac wrappers out the window and Ryan would hop on.
Cost of living no option
@Derek Richardson: when in govt didn’t they promise the incenerator would NEVER be built…it was and it’s working
Upper Class Blue Shirts on Bicycles
One of the newly elected TD for Dublin has 2 cars a Merc and a Skoda, This person in particular wants people to cycle and walk everywhere.
Yet they have 2 cars she also wants to have people fined for parking on the footpath,Yet there is a pic of one her cars parked on the footpath.
FFG and the Greens would make the most unpopular government to date.
It not the outcome people wanted looking at the election results.
Another 5 years of the same badly run country with Leos and Micks cronies.
@Michael Maher: Actually a FF/FG/Green coalition would represent 50.2% of first preference votes, so to say its not the outcome people wanted would be wrong. What would be correct to say is that it’s not the outcome the 24% who voted SF wanted.
I don’t want Green Party join my support SF. I can’t stand Green Party
@Brian Flavin: prepare to be disappointed.
The last time the Green Party went into coalition with fine fail, they lost literally every seat in the ensuing election. Unless their ministers and supporters have terribly short memories, they won’t take the bait.
If this election is stolen by the corrupt ffailgael junta democracy is dead and this country needs burning
Thats strange I know lots of republicans in Belfast who support the green party Claire Bailey is quite popular in the markets and the lower ormeau road of south belfast
FFG using bullying tactics to form a govt.
SF had 27 seats on first count, FF had 1, FG had 2.
The people have voted. The people voted SF for govt.
Do NOT allow FFG to bully their way in.
have your say