Convention Analysis: The Greens have signalled their intent to serve in government, writes Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent.
Before his early demise in 1995, Gerry Garcia of the legendary American rock band The Grateful Dead was prone to muse about "What a long, strange trip it has been".
Meeting in the aptly-named Woodstock Hotel in Ennis, Co Clare, over the weekend, the Green Party - more than a few of whom could hum The Dead's tunes - knew what he meant.
The Greens have six TDs and are bidding to increase their number of local and county councillors to 50 in the elections due in May 2004.
However, political success forces change. Nearly 18 months ago, the Greens elected Trevor Sargent as leader. Backed up by extra State funding, it has now increasingly "professionalised" its backroom staff.
The example set by the German Greens, led by Joschka Fischer, has clearly whetted the appetite of the Greens for power.
Next year, a leading German Green will attend the party's conference: "This will emphasise that we are a party of government, a party that wants to be in government," declared its chairman, Mr John Gormley.
In the vanguard of the party's pragmatic wing, the Dublin South East TD told delegates: "I don't like this idea that the Greens are anti-everything. Because it simply isn't the case."
Prior to last May's election, Mr Gormley ruled out coalition with Fianna Fáil, though he and others hurried to "clarify" his remarks to leave the possibility open.
Now, though, he is prepared to nail his colours tightly to the mast. "People are crying out for an alternative and we must be part of that. Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats have betrayed the electorate's trust. It seems inconceivable that they will be in the next government and I believe it would be an act of unforgivable irresponsibility if we were to assist them back into government," he declared.
Such words can come back to haunt politicians, but the Greens are banking that voters will have wearied of near-permanent rule by Fianna Fáil when they next go to the national polls.
Forced by the Dáil's rules into a grouping with Sinn Féin and Independent TDs, the Greens are increasingly bridling at their association with Sinn Féin, which is doing little for their "soft" middle-class vote.
Throughout the weekend, Green Party figures were quick to emphasise Sinn Féin's links with the IRA and to call on it to get the latter to disarm.
Meanwhile, they were also keen to get back to quality of life and environmental issues, rather than being seen, at least by some of the electorate, as a party obsessed with the EU.
"It is a question of getting back to our roots," said Mr Sargent, shortly after he had planted a tree in the hotel's gardens to commemorate past and present victims of violence in Iraq.
Nevertheless, there is deep change afoot within the Greens. In the past, children often frolicked in the aisles as the adults earnestly debated global warming, or the benefits of organic food.
This conference was well run and more like those of the other parties. Entering for his leader's address, Mr Sargent walked through the audience to the podium, shaking hand with delegates just like Bertie.
Clearly, the soft and gentle style of Mr Sargent does not jar with those more comfortable with the party's grassroots history - though other changes are less welcome to some.
During a debate on reducing the numbers on the party's National Co-Ordinating Committee, more than a few complained that too much power is being taken by the centre.
Disagreeing, Mr Colm Ó Chaomhanaigh, a member of the committee, said: "We are a much slicker organisation than we were. We were not able to organise conferences like this as well as we are now."
Determined to be practical, delegates took a dim view of a rather woolly motion from Louth delegates seeking the introduction of revolutionary social, economic and political policies by 2020.
Yesterday, delegates dealt with the nitty-gritty of building a party organisation during a workshop hosted by Dublin West TD, Mr Paul Gogarty.
Having performed a near miracle to win in the tight three-seater, Mr Gogarty's experience will guide many local election candidates. "If you want to get elected, come and listen. If you don't, then don't come and telephone me later on trying to find out," he warned neophyte political representatives.