Green Party to stay in Government

turgon · 10-10-2009 5:36pm #1

With about 15 minutes to the official results, the expectation is that Green party members will vote to stay in Government.

Despite all the gains the party got from Fianna Fail it seems certain they wont be doing the thing the majority of the country want them to do - pull the plug on one of the most unpopular administrations in the history of the State.

The legacy of the Green party, when they are wiped out at the next election (this probably being the last point at which they could salvage themselves) will be one of a party that supported NAMA (and all that implies) and the corruption and bad politics of Fianna Fail.

They had the chance today to prove they had a moral conscience and that they were willing to be the 'watchdogs' of the coalition. They choose not to take this, and will undoubtedly suffer because of this.

I cant but be disappointed.

Biggins · 10-10-2009 5:40pm

turgon wrote: »

With about 15 minutes to the official results, the expectation is that Green party members will vote to stay in Government.

Despite all the gains the party got from Fianna Fail it seems certain they wont be doing the thing the majority of the country want them to do - pull the plug on one of the most unpopular administrations in the history of the State.

The legacy of the Green party, when they are wiped out at the next election (this probably being the last point at which they could salvage themselves) will be one of a party that supported NAMA (and all that implies) and the corruption and bad politics of Fianna Fail.

They had the chance today to prove they had a moral conscience and that they were willing to be the 'watchdogs' of the coalition. They choose not to take this, and will undoubtedly suffer because of this.

I cant but be disappointed - and soon be taxed more to pay off NAMA for the next 20+ years.

FYP

not bakunin · 10-10-2009 5:40pm

turgon wrote: »

With about 15 minutes to the official results, the expectation is that Green party members will vote to stay in Government.

Despite all the gains the party got from Fianna Fail it seems certain they wont be doing the thing the majority of the country want them to do - pull the plug on one of the most unpopular administrations in the history of the State.

The legacy of the Green party, when they are wiped out at the next election (this probably being the last point at which they could salvage themselves) will be one of a party that supported NAMA (and all that implies) and the corruption and bad politics of Fianna Fail.

They had the chance today to prove they had a moral conscience and that they were willing to be the 'watchdogs' of the coalition. They choose not to take this, and will undoubtedly suffer because of this.

I cant but be disappointed.

Snap.
What a wasted opportuinity.

brianthebard · 10-10-2009 5:43pm

Bit premature tugron, at least wait til the official results are out.

turgon · 10-10-2009 5:52pm

@brianthebard: I know, but all indications are going that way. RTE reporter said PfG would be passed "comfortably" and that the NAMA vote would split 50/50.

Rb · 10-10-2009 5:54pm

I would be shocked if they voted to leave, if nothing else is clear it's that they want to hold on to every little last bit of power they can.

However, I can understand where they're coming from, the damage that has been done will take years to fix, if ever? Could the Greens do the same as the PD's should they lose power?

I could be totally wrong and they could vote to leave, however I can't see it happening.

Daysha · 10-10-2009 6:00pm

Just been confirmed on RTE Radio 1. They're staying put.

murfie · 10-10-2009 6:02pm

They voted to stay in government 4:1 and voted down the rejection of NAMA 2:1. The cowards, hope the burn into oblivion the next election. PD's all over again.

Biggins · 10-10-2009 6:03pm

Daysha wrote: »

Just been confirmed on RTE Radio 1. They're staying put.

So JOD gets the boot to the backbenches and get still paid a few euro's less than what he's getting already + expenses still.

** sigh **

Macha · 10-10-2009 6:07pm

Phew

Great news.

*Dons fire-proof armour*

Our man in Havana · 10-10-2009 6:07pm

Confirmed on RTÉ1.

lucky-colm · 10-10-2009 6:07pm

news flash

greens to stay in govt
greens to back nama

brian dobson to have mor information in the news at 9;01

hardly surprising

DubTony · 10-10-2009 6:07pm

No seats for that shower of cowardly bastards next time out so....

ninebeanrows · 10-10-2009 6:08pm

What a gutless bunch.

Will never ever vote Green in my life after this.

They are now as bad as the other bunch as far as i am concerned.

A sad day for the country and a sad day for Politics, money and power is
all that matter to these guys, they don't have an ounce of character or morality.

Disgusted.

Our man in Havana · 10-10-2009 6:08pm

DubTony wrote: »

No seats for that shower of cowardly bastards next time out so....

Nope.

I assume they have also agreed the budget also?

turgon · 10-10-2009 6:09pm

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1010/breaking2.htm

84% in favour of PfG
68% in favour of NAMA!!!!

Our man in Havana · 10-10-2009 6:09pm

turgon wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1010/breaking2.htm

84% in favour of PfG
68% in favour of NAMA!!!!

Talk about saving your own skin.

peasant · 10-10-2009 6:12pm

Here's the new green party logo

the groutch · 10-10-2009 6:18pm

can the last to leave the country please turn out the lights?

dfbemt · 10-10-2009 6:18pm

turgon wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1010/breaking2.htm

84% in favour of PfG
68% in favour of NAMA!!!!

Big figures for PFG. Surprised at this.

Surprised at how close the NAMA vote is. I wonder what it would have been if the vote was to accept NAMA rather than reject it?

greendom · 10-10-2009 6:18pm

Probably the right move; the last thing the country needs right now is a general election. FF and it's coalition are pretty crap but could the FG side do any better ? I really don't think so. Labour maybe, but that's not going to happen, is it?

Our man in Havana · 10-10-2009 6:19pm

greendom wrote: »

Probably the right move; the last thing the country needs right now is a general election. FF and it's coalition are pretty crap but could the FG side do any better ? I really don't think so. Labour maybe, but that's not going to happen, is it?

It would if the gutless greens did the decent thing.

The country needs change and it needs change now.

SeanW · 10-10-2009 6:22pm

Disgusted but not surprised. What a spineless pathetic bunch.

I give the green candidate a v. high preference in my last ballot - never again!

Time to get the Vaseline out, we're all in for a right shafting!

greendom · 10-10-2009 6:22pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

It would if the gutless greens did the decent thing.

The country needs change and it needs change now.

Perhaps but FG is not going to provide it

DubTony · 10-10-2009 6:23pm

peasant wrote: »

Here's the new green party logo

This one's better.

turgon · 10-10-2009 6:23pm

greendom wrote: »

Perhaps but FG is not going to provide it

Why not? Theyre the only party with a remote chance of reducing government spending.

Our man in Havana · 10-10-2009 6:24pm

greendom wrote: »

Perhaps but FG is not going to provide it

FG and Labour together can bring real change.

10-10-2009 6:25pm

How much are supersoakers these days? Think I'll need one at the ready next time FF and now the Greens grace my doorstep.

At least they've been exposed as what they really are.
Pity it's going to cost us what...about 20-50 billion with NAMA? Depending on how big a ****-up it is...

paconnors · 10-10-2009 6:25pm

the green party now will have to start writing their obituary and publish it after the next general elecetion

greendom · 10-10-2009 6:25pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

FG and Labour together can bring real change.

But I thought FG were supposed to be even more right wing than FF?

(Genuine question btw)

Flamed Diving · 10-10-2009 6:26pm

Weathercheck wrote: »

A sad day for the country and a sad day for Politics, money and power is all that matter to these guys, they don't have an ounce of character or morality.

Erm, sounds like your regular politician, to me...

Our man in Havana · 10-10-2009 6:28pm

greendom wrote: »

But I thought FG were supposed to be even more right wing than FF?

(Genuine question btw)

So what. At least they are no where as corrupt as FF.

greendom · 10-10-2009 6:28pm

turgon wrote: »

Why not? Theyre the only party with a remote chance of reducing government spending.

Just what the country needs if you want it to decline ever faster into a slump - reducing spending will just make the current situation even worse. I know the budget deficit is too high at the moment, but now is not the time to try and reduce it. It will kill the economy stone dead.

Macha · 10-10-2009 6:28pm

Flamed Diving wrote: »

Erm, sounds like your regular politician, to me...

Funny...I can't imagine any other party doing any differently. Oh yeah, would they have put it to their members in a democratic vote? I didn't see FF's members voting on the new PfG.

hallelujajordan · 10-10-2009 6:29pm

Personally, am delighted . . . FF / Green coalition is the only government with the balls to take on the unions and the public service this winter . .

Besides, as a green supporter faced with the choice of 1, maybe 2 TD's on the back benches with no influence over anything and no opportunity to implement any green policies versus 4 TD's, 2 Govt Ministers and a PfG that gives some real attention to Green party policies, which would you choose ?

greendom · 10-10-2009 6:29pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

So what. At least they are no where as corrupt as FF.

Are you sure. If it is true it's probably just because they haven't had the opportunity

10-10-2009 6:30pm

greendom wrote: »

Just what the country needs if you want it to decline ever faster into a slump - reducing spending will just make the current situation even worse. I know the budget deficit is too high at the moment, but now is not the time to try and reduce it. It will kill the economy stone dead.

How can reducing government spending POSSIBLY make the situation worse?

You don't think things like social welfare are WAY too expensive? I mean a full time minimum wage job doesn't make that much more than someone at home on benefits..

greendom · 10-10-2009 6:32pm

Bond-007 wrote: »

So what. At least they are no where as corrupt as FF.

So how would a coalition with Labour work? Where's the common ground - apart from hatred of FF? Is that enough to bring about recovery?

hallelujajordan · 10-10-2009 6:33pm

greendom wrote: »

Just what the country needs if you want it to decline ever faster into a slump - reducing spending will just make the current situation even worse. I know the budget deficit is too high at the moment, but now is not the time to try and reduce it. It will kill the economy stone dead.

Now is not the time to reduce public spending ? ? ?

So whats your plan, we keep on borrowing 400M a week until the IMF comes in and declares us bankrupt ? mmmm . . interesting economic theory !

brianthebard · 10-10-2009 6:34pm

taconnol wrote: »

Funny...I can't imagine any other party doing any differently. Oh yeah, would they have put it to their members in a democratic vote? I didn't see FF's members voting on the new PfG.

Is there really that much to gloat about when its clear that the fur lobby group within the party was the casting vote on NAMA, which means our economic present and future has been decided by a group of about 100 people?

greendom · 10-10-2009 6:36pm

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

How can reducing government spending POSSIBLY make the situation worse?

You don't think things like social welfare are WAY too expensive? I mean a full time minimum wage job doesn't make that much more than someone at home on benefits..

Because you are taking money out of a seriously sick economy; supressing it, squeezing out any life it had. State benefits is another argument, but overall the government should be trying to breath life into the economy not the opposite.

Sand · 10-10-2009 6:36pm

RIP
Green Party
1981-2012

greendom · 10-10-2009 6:38pm

hallelujajordan wrote: »

Now is not the time to reduce public spending ? ? ?

So whats your plan, we keep on borrowing 400M a week until the IMF comes in and declares us bankrupt ? mmmm . . interesting economic theory !

Italy's public debt is 3 times ours - I don't see the IMF knocking at their door. Public deficit is bad, but we still have some breathing room to try to instill life back into the economy.

turgon · 10-10-2009 6:46pm

greendom wrote: »

Italy's public debt is 3 times ours - I don't see the IMF knocking at their door. Public deficit is bad, but we still have some breathing room to try to instill life back into the economy.

Italy is 13 times bigger???

Biggins · 10-10-2009 6:47pm

brianthebard wrote: »

Is there really that much to gloat about when its clear that the fur lobby group within the party was the casting vote on NAMA, which means our economic present and future has been decided by a group of about 100 people?

100 people roughly that has decided to saddle the country with 40 years of further debt and made big bankers happy tonight.

:mad:

The Greens are going to be decimated at the next election for sure and it's of their own making.

Flamed Diving · 10-10-2009 6:48pm

greendom wrote: »

Because you are taking money out of a seriously sick economy; supressing it, squeezing out any life it had. State benefits is another argument, but overall the government should be trying to breath life into the economy not the opposite.

Quickly explain a means for not removing money from the economy, while simultaneously injecting money into the economy, all while avoiding default?

Sand · 10-10-2009 6:50pm

Quickly explain a means for not removing money from the economy, while simultaneously injecting money into the economy, all while avoiding default?

The way I understand it, the difference is, We're Irish.

MikeC101 · 10-10-2009 6:54pm

Flamed Diving wrote: »

Quickly explain a means for not removing money from the economy, while simultaneously injecting money into the economy, all while avoiding default?

We all plant some of these? They're green after all.

On a more serious note - surely we must cut *some* of the social welfare bill?

Shave ten euro off the 204.30 a week payment, and that's a chunk saved. And this is spoken as someone currently on social welfare - prices have fallen, why not decrease social welfare in line with that? It increased by more than inflation in the "good" times.

turgon · 10-10-2009 6:56pm

MikeC101 wrote: »

Shave ten euro off the 204.30 a week payment, and that's a chunk saved. And this is spoken as someone currently on social welfare - prices have fallen, why not decrease social welfare in line with that? It increased by more than inflation in the "good" times.

This is exactly why Labour should not be in power. They will not be willing to change this, or the public sector wage bill.

Rb · 10-10-2009 6:56pm

Biggins wrote: »

100 people roughly that has decided to saddle the country with 40 years of further debt and made big bankers happy tonight.

:mad:

The Greens are going to be decimated at the next election for sure and it's of their own making.

Not just 100 people, 100 "Green" people...what a bad taste that leaves in the mouth.

I suppose the positive thing is that they'll waste quite a significant amount of their party's money on their next campaign

Rb · 10-10-2009 6:59pm

Regarding shaving money off the dole, instead of taking such a measure, why not just have those who are signing on do X amount of hours of work instead? In community projects, helping local businesses etc?

Green Party to stay in Government

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