UNCERTAINTY OVER Green Party leader John Gormley’s future as Minister for the Environment raised new doubts about the stability of the Coalition last night as the Green Party refused to confirm or deny the existence of an internal agreement on ministerial rotation.
The Irish Timesunderstands that Green TDs and Senators had agreed two years ago that Mr Gormley would relinquish his Cabinet position in a mid-term reshuffle.
The agreement would have seen Dún Laoghaire TD Ciarán Cuffe, one of the party’s longest-serving politicians, being promoted in Mr Gormley’s place, with Eamon Ryan remaining on in the Cabinet.
A second rotation would have resulted in Trevor Sargent making way for Carlow-Kilkenny TD Mary White. However, that is no longer necessary because of Mr Sargent’s resignation last week.
A Green Party spokesman said Government appointments were entirely a matter for the Taoiseach, who was consulting Mr Gormley about the issue in general. But the spokesman refused to comment on whether a secret agreement existed on rotating ministerial positions, describing this as “total speculation”.
“There are only two people who know the timing of any Cabinet reshuffle and of any personnel changes: Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister for Environment John Gormley,” said the spokesman, who added that there would be no further comment until the Taoiseach made his plans known.
A number of sources within the Greens confirmed that discussions had taken place within the party on rotating ministries. One said that such rotation had happened with Greens in government elsewhere, particularly in Germany, to underline the party philosophy that no individual should be placed above policy.
“We’ve discussed it in general but not the who, what or the when,” said the source, who added that circumstances had since changed.
Other sources confirmed that the party reached what amounted to a strong agreement two years ago on rotation and the matter had come up during the most recent parliamentary party think-in in mid-January.
It is believed there was also an understanding between the Coalition parties on a second junior ministry for the Greens but this was abandoned when Mr Cowen reduced the number of ministers of state from 20 to 13.
As news of the rotation agreement broke last night there were divided views as to whether the Greens would proceed with it. One source said that if Mr Gormley refused to do so there would be serious ill-feeling. Others argued, however, that there was a political imperative for Mr Gormley to remain in office in what was a changed political landscape.
Last night, Green Party chairman Senator Dan Boyle gave his opinion on the position. “Look, it’s speculation,” he said on his Twitter site. Later, he added: “As leader John decides when or if he is to leave Cabinet. Could be tomorrow, could be two years’ time.”
In another development relating to the forthcoming reshuffle, it was confirmed that Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Martin Cullen was unable to attend yesterday’s Cabinet meeting as he was admitted to hospital for treatment of his chronic back complaint.
The Minister is likely to stay in hospital for the remainder of the week, according to his spokeswoman.
Mr Cullen’s duties, including an official trip to the west coast of the United States, have been taken over by Minister of State at the Department of Finance Martin Mansergh.
Mr Cullen is expected to resign for health reasons in advance of the pending Cabinet reshuffle due to his back ailment, which has been troubling him severely in recent months.
The Waterford TD’s departure from the Cabinet will provide Mr Cowen with further latitude as he attempts to give his Government a fresh look. Limited personnel changes will be accompanied by a significant restructuring of departmental responsibilities, according to Cabinet sources.
