Cuffe: Greens should stay in Govt
Green Party TD Ciaran Cuffe has said the party should stay in Government on the basis of the revised programme for government.
The deal now has to be endorsed by a two-thirds majority of the Green party when it goes before its National Convention in Dublin today.
“We said two weeks ago we needed to see strong points on political reform, on education on the whole process of Government,” he said.
“I am pleased we got that.”
Reform of Oireachtas expenses, 500 new teaching posts and the scrapping of plans to roll-out third level fees are some of the highlights of the revisions.
The 40-page document was nailed down late last night after eight days of intense negotiations between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party.
Here are some of the key promises:
On education:
:: Bin controversial plans for third level fees.
:: Provide 500 teaching posts at primary and secondary level over the next three years.
:: Commitment not to increase class sizes any further.
On political reform:
:: Review the number of Dail TDs.
:: Scrap corporate donations to politicians and political parties.
:: Introduce a vouched expenses system for TDs and Senators.
On the economy:
:: Introduce carbon tax in budget 2010.
:: Domestic water charges. Houses will be given a free basic water allowance and will be charged for any extra use.
:: 30% tax relief on private pensions.
:: Crack down on tax exiles.
On jobs and enterprise:
:: Create 127,000 green jobs over the next decade.
:: Reform state training body Fas to make it more accountable to taxpayer.
On transport:
:: Spend twice as much on public transport as roads in 2011.
:: Roll out real time passenger information for 500 bus stops in Cork and Dublin by end of 2010.
:: Integrated ticketing introduced early next year.
:: Bin plans for the eastern bypass, linking Sandymount with Portmarnock.
On banking reform:
:: A levy on banks will be introduced if Nama makes a loss.
On health:
:: Take further steps towards a universal health service.
On children:
:: Hold a referendum on constitutional rights of the child.
On justice:
:: Establish a court of civil appeal.
On housing:
:: End long-term homelessness by the end of next year.
On arts:
:: Locate the new Abbey Theatre in the GPO by 2016.
:: Maintain the Irish Film Board.
On animal welfare:
:: Ban stag hunting.
