Greens will support Finance Bill despite pulling out of Government
The Green Party will support the Finance Bill to give effect to the measures announced in Budget 2011, despite its decision to pull out of Government.
Party leader John Gormley said the "on-going saga" in relation to the Fianna Fáil leadership had been a total distraction from the business of Government and was still not resolved.
"The Irish people have begun to lose confidence in politics and in the political process," he said.
Mr Gormley said the party regretted that other key pieces of legislation which had been championed by the Greens - a reference to the Climate Change Bill and legislation governing corporate donations to political parties in particular - would not now pass through the Dáil in the lifetime of this Government.
Flanked by TDs and senators after today's crisis talks in Dublin, Mr Gormley said he believed an election was absolutely necessary.
“The Irish people...have watched aghast the conduct in Dáil Eireann of political parties...The Irish people expect and deserve better.”
Mr Gormley said it had been a very rare privilege to serve in government, adding it would have been preferable if it had not coincided with the worst economic downturn in the nation’s history.
“I am proud of our many achievements in the areas of planning, renewable energy, energy standards of buildings, water conservation and other environmental areas,” he added.
“I’m proud that we gave rights to gay couples through civil partnership, and that we persisted in our belief that education and the arts should be protected. These two areas are absolutely vital for our economic recovery.”
The Greens threatened to bring down the Government on Thursday in the row over filling Cabinet seats left empty by the string of ministerial resignations but remained in the coalition to ensure the passing of the controversial Finance Bill, giving effect to the cuts in Budget 2011 and other new cost-saving measures.
Mr Gormley said the Greens will remain true to its promise to support the Finance Bill from the opposition benches, with the promised co-operation of the opposition parties.
Fine Gael and Labour have already agreed to facilitate the passage of the proposed legislation by the end of the week in return for the election date being brought forward.
Mr Gormley added: “We also hope that the Fianna Fáil party will make every effort to fast-track this legislation.”
