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Green Party not ruling out deal with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil

The Green Party has not ruled out doing a deal with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, after considering...
Newstalk
Newstalk

16.02 16 Apr 2020


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Green Party not ruling out dea...

Green Party not ruling out deal with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil

Newstalk
Newstalk

16.02 16 Apr 2020


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The Green Party has not ruled out doing a deal with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, after considering a framework coalition document.

The Greens Parliamentary Party met earlier and will ask the two parties for more detail on climate and housing targets.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said there is split opinion in the party and welcomed that.

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He said they will give the 22-page document more consideration.

"We're going to have to kind of tease it out more... I think everyone would say it's not a very detailed document.

"I agree with a lot of many aspects in it in terms of that whole issue about measuring success not just by economic growth but by quality of life.

"We've been saying that for 30 years - I'd love to see that implemented.

"And I could take several other examples.

"But the document is vague on details, and I think it's going to require a lot more work".

The 10-point plan announced on Wednesday is designed to entice the Greens, Labour and the Social Democrats to join a coalition government.

But Labour Party leader Alan Kelly branded it an "un-costed, purely aspirational document, that will require detailed scrutiny."

He said: "It fails to mention any concrete timelines or when any of the mooted ideas would be delivered.

"I welcome that in both parties coming together to draft this document, that they have come around to a different way of thinking on a new social contract and other social democratic policies.

But he said Labour will study the document over the coming days.

RISE TD Paul Murphy has urged smaller parties not to go along with the deal.

He said: "I've never seen a more blatant trap in my life.

"A trap being laid very openly for the Greens or for the Social Democrats where, supposedly, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are reborn, they now see the role of the State and provision of housing, etc, etc.

"It's obviously a complete load of nonsense".

While People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said: "A return to power of Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil is the last thing the country needs in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis”.

"I urge parties and independents of the left not to go down the well worn path of supporting a Fine Gael/Fianna Fail government.

"Now more than ever, in the midst of this unprecedented crisis, we need a fundamental and radical reordering of the priorities of our society which put human need and our environment before profit", Deputy Barrett added.

Reporting by Sean Defoe and Jack Quann

Main image: Green Party leader Eamon Ryan speaking to media on the plinth outside Leinster House. Photo by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

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Coalition Eamon Ryan Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Government Formation Green Party

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