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Greens in Irish coalition talks Greens to join Irish government
(about 6 hours later)
By Shane Harrison BBC NI Dublin correspondent The Green Party has voted overwhelmingly to enter government in Ireland for the first time.
Members of the Green Party are meeting in Dublin's Mansion House, the venue for the first Dail, in what is the most important gathering in their relatively brief history. Members voted by an 86.81% majority to join a coalition led by Bertie Ahern's Fianna Fail party.
The Irish government is urged to stop Shannon stopoversThey have to decide by a two thirds majority whether to go into coalition government on Thursday with Bertie Ahern's Fianna Fail and Mary Harney's Progressive Democrats. The endorsement of a programme for government, by 431 to 67 votes, came after several hours of discussion at a special convention in Dublin.
The party, that was described, rather harshly, as being full of sandal-wearing, muesli-eaters, is now on the verge of exercising power. The party's six Dail TDs will join the coalition, which also includes Mary Harney's Progressive Democrats.
And with power comes responsibility. Delegates at the Green party conference had to walk past anti-Iraq war activists and anti-motorways protesters on their way into the Mansion House on Wednesday.
For many Greens there was an uncomfortable reminder of this as they had to walk past anti-Iraq war activists and anti-motorways protesters on their way into the Mansion House. The anti-war campaigners were demanding that the Irish government stop the Shannon airport stopover for US troops on their way to Iraq.
The anti-war people campaigners are demanding that the Irish government stops the Shannon airport stopover for US troops on their way to Iraq.
The anti-motorway activists want a halt called to the M3 section that by-passes the Hill of Tara in County Meath.The anti-motorway activists want a halt called to the M3 section that by-passes the Hill of Tara in County Meath.
Both causes are dear to the hearts of the Green Party but there is nothing in the deal with Fianna Fail that will affect either Shannon or the motorway. Both causes have been close to the hearts of the Green Party but there was nothing in the deal with Fianna Fail that would affect either Shannon or the motorway.
Many expect there to be a battle between the party's "fundi" or fundamentalists and "realos" or realists. The Irish government is urged to stop Shannon stopoversEarlier, Roger Garland, a founder of the Greens - who was the party's first TD in 1989 - said he felt betrayed by a deal, he described as "unbelievably bad".
Trevor Seargent talks to the media in Dublin Roger Garland, a founder of the Greens - who was the party's first TD in 1989 - says he feels betrayed by a deal, he describes as "unbelievably bad". On the other hand Ciaran Cuffe, a current TD, said it was an unprecedented opportunity for the party to help shape cabinet policy for the benefit of the Irish people for five years.
He says he fears for the party's future if delegates vote to go into government. The deal includes a proposed carbon tax; measures dealing with climate change; directly-elected mayors; more money for education and a review of taxation.
On the other hand Ciaran Cuffe, a current TD, says it is an unprecedented opportunity for the party to help shape cabinet policy for the benefit of the Irish people for five years. Meanwhile, there will be interest in whether Trevor Sargent stays on as leader.
The Green TDs hope they can get their majority by pointing to what's in the deal: a proposed carbon tax; measures dealing with climate change; directly-elected mayors; more money for education and a review of taxation.
There will also be interest in whether Trevor Sargent stays on as leader.
During the election he was highly critical of Mr Ahern's acceptance of money from friends and businessmen after his marriage break-up in the early 1990s.During the election he was highly critical of Mr Ahern's acceptance of money from friends and businessmen after his marriage break-up in the early 1990s.
Mr Sargent also said he would quit as party leader rather than lead his party into a coalition with Fianna Fail, but that he would serve in such a government, if asked.
Will the Greens go into government? And will Trevor Sargent still be their leader?
Standby by for the white, sorry, green smoke!