Greens predict 'clash of egos' in any FG-Labour coalition

GREEN LEADER John Gormley has warned against a Fine Gael-Labour coalition with a “bloated majority”, and insisted he was “not contemplating any incineration” of his party in the election.

Mr Gormley predicted “a clash of egos as well as a clash of policies” between Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore if they went into government together.

He said it would be a “very tough” election for Green Party candidates, but the six TDs would be returned and gains could be made. Green TDs and Senators would be fighting for the last seat, often with Fianna Fáil, in nine constituencies. The Greens always had “to dig our seats out of granite” in every election.

“I am not contemplating any incineration or otherwise of the Green Party,” he said.

Mr Gormley, former minister for the environment, has opposed the proposed Poolbeg incinerator in his Dublin South East constituency.

Launching the Green campaign in a Dublin city centre venue yesterday morning, Mr Gormley said he did not accept that a Fine Gael-Labour government was the only possible outcome. “The outcome is still far from certain,” he said.

Attacking Fine Gael’s plan for voluntary public sector redundancies in addition to those previously outlined by the Government, Mr Gormley said 30,000 jobs could not be cut in three years with only limited cuts to services.

Mr Gormley said Labour had abandoned its key taxation policy of a third rate of 48 per cent and was “dodging and fudging crunch issues”.

While the Greens had experienced difficulties with Fianna Fáil when they were in coalition, Fine Gael and Labour did not understand “the mechanics of government”.

Mr Gormley said the Greens were the only party that could be trusted on climate change, sustainability and the creation of “real green jobs”. His party’s “record of delivery” stood up. “We are a party that has a vision beyond the next general election.”

He said the party had confirmed 39 candidates in as many constituencies and others would be finalised in the coming days, with the party on course to contest all 43 constituencies.

Mr Gormley confirmed the Green Party would base the majority of its economic manifesto on the Government’s four-year plan, with slight changes.

“We worked very hard in government at a very difficult time. We were engaged in those negotiations. We know what works, and we know what doesn’t work,” he said.

Party chairman Dan Boyle said “headline figures” would be adhered to but the Greens would have “different proposals as to how the changes between current, capital and taxation should be modelled over the next couple of years”.

The Greens would also put “a greater emphasis on stimulus, particularly in terms of green jobs”.

Mr Boyle said the Greens would set out their economic policy in full next week.

Former minister for energy Eamon Ryan said he “looked aghast” at Fine Gael’s jobs proposals. Fine Gael’s policies would “destroy the ESB”.

“Back in the old days it used to be that Garret [FitzGerald] would worry that something works in practice but does it work in theory? It seems to me now that Fine Gael have loads of theory but I don’t see it working in practice.”

Mr Ryan added: “If this election is about employment, if this election is about creating jobs, look to those who have a proven track record in key growth areas. Do not be fooled by that document.”

He said the Greens, more than any other party, understood the new economy, and had “a proven track record that we can actually deliver employment in a new green economy”.