Green Party leader Trevor Sargent
Statement. Green Party,
8th. June 2007.

Green Party ends Govt talks
without agreement

The Green Party concluded talks with Fianna Fáil today without agreement on formation of a new government. After six days of intensive talks Party Leader Trevor Sargent TD concluded that the differing approaches between the parties to tackling climate chance, funding education and implementing government reform were insurmountable, and, as a result, the Party's leadership could not recommend to its membership a viable programme for government. The special convention planned for Sunday has been cancelled.

Trevor Sargent TD, said: "On behalf of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas, I wish to announce that negotiations on the formation of a government with Fianna Fáil have now concluded without agreement".

"At the beginning of this process we set the objective of forming a stable government and securing a sustainable future for this country. While many areas of common ground were identified, it was not possible at this time to construct a programme for government that met with the minimum policy objectives of both parties".

"The decision to end the talks was taken after a series of cordial and constructive meetings between both teams of negotiators. These detailed discussions were entered into with good faith and every avenue was explored in order to come up with a workable document".

"However, despite clear areas of agreement, it was not possible to identify common ground on a number of core policy issues of importance to the Party. These areas include:

  • Measures to tackle climate change, including forward-thinking transport and congestion solutions
  • Funding to bring the education system into the 21st. century
  • The transformation of local government, including action to modernise the decision-making and planning processes
  • Reform of the health care system".

"In each of these areas substantial blockages still remain. Because of this, the Party does not believe it could enter government and stand over the policy proposals".

"I would like to thank our team of negotiators and backroom staff for their professionalism and dedication. I would also like to praise our membership and our elected representatives for the continued discipline shown during the past week".

"We remain committed to forming a government and will continue to explore all avenues with this in mind. However the current deal on offer is not sufficient and will not best serve the interests of our country", concluded Deputy Sargent.

By: Carol Fox

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