Greens in North 'will shape policy in Republic'

The Green Party in the North will have direct input into policy in Dublin, it was claimed today.

The Green Party in the North will have direct input into policy in Dublin, it was claimed today.

As the Republic’s Greens prepared to enter Government today in a coalition with Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, Peter Doran, a senior Green Party figure in the North said they would help shape Government in Dublin.

Following links between both parties in Ireland and Greens in Scotland, Mr Doran is one of two Northern members who have seats on the National Executive of the party in the Republic.

“The decision to go into Government in Dublin is a remarkable achievement,” he said.

“It means we are the first all-island party to enter into the Irish Government.

“It also means that the Northern Ireland party will have a voice and play a part in shaping government policy in the Irish Republic.

“Trevor Sargent played a huge role in developing our links and in helping us to make the electoral strides that we have made north of the border.

“But this decision will also have a huge impact on people north of the border because there is a strong element of cross border cooperation in the Programme for Government that has been agreed on issues like acute hospitals, ensuring the entire island remains GM free and the whole question of energy, particularly renewable energy.”

The Green Party in the North has grown from having three councillors elected in the last local government elections in 2005 to having its first ever Assembly member, Brian Wilson, capture a seat at Stormont in March.

Trevor Sargent, who last night said he was quitting as party leader – following its decision to enter into government in Dublin for the first time – campaigned vigorously for the party in the North.

Mr Doran paid tribute to the Dublin North TD.

“He was instrumental alongside John Barry and myself in making the party electable in Northern Ireland and was there supporting us from day one,” he said.

“With the Greens being in Government south of the border, that will also have an impact on how people in Northern Ireland look at the party north of the border.

“A number of us from Belfast and Derry attended the meeting and we were very touched that in his speech thanking members for supporting the leadership that he made a strong point of acknowledging those of us that had come down from Northern Ireland.”

Mr Doran added that whoever succeeded Mr Sargent as party leader would continue to promote the party in the North.

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