Co-location hospitals
- a big hurdle for
- Greens and FF deal
By - Mark Hennessy and Liam Reid.
Fianna Fáil's determination to pursue plans to
build private hospitals on public hospital grounds is a
major obstacle in the effort to form a coalition with the
Green Party.
Following the third day of talks between the parties in
Government Buildings, which are now scheduled to end by
tomorrow, both sides said that progress had been
made.
However, Minister for Social and Family Affairs
Séamus Brennan acknowledged that the opposing
positions on hospital co-location, with Fianna
Fáil and the Progressive Democrats in favour and
the Greens against, have not edged closer.
"The health area is one area that we have still to make
some good progress on. We are still in the middle of
that", he said after the end of nine hours of
negotiations.
Papers on contentious issues have been exchanged by the
negotiating teams, though they have yet to discuss Fianna
Fáil's desire to cut both the standard and top
rate of tax.
Asked if he believed the parties could strike a deal, Mr.
Brennan said: "I believe we can. Am I certain? No, but I
believe that we can. Both sides have entered these talks
in good faith".
"The atmosphere is cordial and constructive. We should be
able to get there, but it is a cautious prediction on my
part that we will get there".
"We made good solid progress. There are still issues
which we have only touched on that are quite substantial.
We are moving those issues on gradually", he added.
Confirming that a deadline of tomorrow had been set for
conclusion of the talks, he said: "We are working to a
time-frame. The Greens have a conference on Sunday. They
have that pressure point".
Fianna Fáil is opposed to the Greens' demand for a
carbon tax, on the ground that it would be punitive for
industry, although a long-term review could be
promised.
The Fianna Fáil negotiating team is led by
Minister for Finance Brian Cowen and includes Minister
for Communications Noel Dempsey.
The Green Party delegation, led by deputy leader John
Gormley, includes former Cork South Central TD Dan Boyle
and the party's general secretary Dónall
Geoghegan.
If a package is agreed, it will be put to 800 delegates
at the Green Party's Mansion House meeting.
Although the Green leadership has imposed a gagging order
on its members, it is understood there is disquiet among
some members about the prospect of an alliance with the
Progressive Democrats.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has kept the PD acting leader and
Minister for Health, Mary Harney, informed of
developments. She will attend a Cabinet meeting today
along with the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell,
who lost his seat.
Senior Fianna Fáil sources insist that Mr. Ahern
and his party are determined to strike a deal with the
Greens, the PDs and Independent TDs, Beverley Flynn,
Jackie Healy-Rae and Michael Lowry.
During negotiations the Greens have also been pushing for
a pupil-teacher ratio of 25-to-one and much greater
availability of specialist applied behavioural analysis
(ABA) teaching for autistic children.
Fianna Fáil is willing to accept local government
reform which is also being sought by the Greens,
including the possibility of directly-elected mayors,
sources close to the talks told The Irish Times.
It has also expressed a willingness to consider a review
and potential moratorium on municipal incineration, but
on the basis that it could not apply to plants with
current planning approval, or those in the middle of the
planning process.
The incineration company Indaver has put plans to build
incinerators in Meath and Cork Harbour on hold because of
unhappiness over Government policy, while a third planned
incinerator for Poolbeg in Dublin Bay has also run into
difficulties.
© The Irish Times, 6th. June 2007.
Related Articles:
Fianna Fáil and Greens move closer on some key
areas.
FF and Greens talks to resume on coalition.
Fianna Fáil and Greens meet today for coalition
talks.
Greens and FF exchange policy documents.
