Programme for government negotiations:Both sides say emphasis will be on transforming society, write DEAGLÁN de BRÉADÚNand HARRY McGEE
THERE WERE “huge changes” in the revised programme for government to be put before today’s special convention of the Green Party, Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan told a news conference in Government Buildings last night.
Several hundred party members are to vote at the Royal Dublin Society this afternoon on the document, which the Green Minister said “will live up to what we were looking for, which is a document that transforms how we work and how the country works”.
Speaking at the end of more than a week of talks lasting almost 60 hours, Fianna Fáil Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said key elements of the new programme were finalised at a meeting between Taoiseach Brian Cowen with Green Party leader and Minister for Environment John Gormley at 7.30pm last night.
“It covers all areas of government,” he said. The document is to be sent by e-mail to Fianna Fail members and presented to Green Party activists as they arrive at the RDS this morning.
Green Party TD Mary White said that “in deference to our members” they were being given sight of the document before it was generally released.
Commenting on the lengthy negotiations, Mr Ryan said: “I think they have been productive.” The talks between the two negotiating teams were faced with a number of stumbling-blocks during the day on issues related to education and political reform.
“However the two party leaders met several times to resolve outstanding difficulties. The issue of education cuts imposed in last October’s Budget were central to the discussions.”
The main educational demand by the Greens was for a restoration of the pupil-teacher ratio from one to 28 back to one to 27 in primary schools and this is understood to have met opposition on fiscal grounds from Fianna Fáil.
Another key issue was political reform, and the Green demand for a reduction in the number of TDs was said to have been another stumbling-block.
However, sources said there was progress on expenses and funding. The Greens also sought changes in the electoral system and substantial progress was achieved on local government reform.
There were consultations with Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan on expenses, sources said. Economic measures to promote job-creation also loomed large.
More traditional Green issues such as a ban on fur-farming were said to have played a relatively-minor role in the negotiations.
Mr Dempsey told reporters at last night's news conference, which coincided with the RTÉ Nine O'Clock News: "The emphasis in the programme as far as we are concerned is meeting the challenges that Ireland faces, transforming society and attacking, as I said, the challenges to be faced economically, and we're very much committed to a just and caring society into the future and we look forward to implementing the policies in this particular document over the next three years."
The controversial National Asset Management Agency (Nama) is the subject of a separate motion at the RDS convention from party dissidents who want the Green representatives in Leinster House to reject the plan.
This motion also requires a two-thirds majority and it is considered highly-unlikely this will be achieved. However, it is seen as important for the party leadership to win a majority in that vote also.
The results of the two votes are set to be released simultaneously, at about 6pm this evening. The discussion on the programme for government discussion is to take place first, which should reduce the possibility that opponents of Nama will also vote against the leadership on the programme.
It is expected that, provided the leadership secures the requisite approval from its members for the programme, the Green Party will support the provisions of the forthcoming Budget on December 9th.