The Green Party has said it has not ruled out entering coalition even though it says its programme for government is "opposed" to that of the major political parties.
Speaking at the launch of their Manifesto for Women, Green councillor, Ms Mary White, who is standing in Carlow/Killenny said that despite their differences with other parties, they had a "shopping list" which would be up for discussion following next Friday's election.
Arguing that it was unlikely that Fianna Fáil would obtain enough votes to create a single-party government and that their showing in recent polls was a result of "spin, PR and marketing", Ms White said she was confident that the Greens would, in the worst case scenario, double their presence in the Dáil.
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Ms White was responding to queries on the Green Party’s showing in the IMS/
Sunday Independent
poll which indicated that their support has dropped one per cent in the first poll since the close of nominations ten days ago.
Amongst the items on the Greens' shopping list is a comprehensive and detailed proposal for increasing the number of women in Irish politics.
Ending dual mandates, they said, would be instrumental in encouraging women to run for county council, which would ultimately lead to an increase in women in the Dáail.
"The Greens are targeting increased decision making for women at community level and in the Dáail along with pay party," Ms White said. The party is also seeking significant support for child care and increased support for agencies working with women affected by violence.
Ms Kristina McElroy, Green candidate for Dublin South Central, said that increased representation for women, and highlighting women’s issues, was the basis of their programme for women over the course of the next Dáail.
Although women made up over 50 per cent of the population, she said, they still only occupy 15 per cent of Dáailpositions.
"Banning the dual mandate...would have assisted the opening up of the political process for women," Ms McElroy said.