Group stages protest at Green Party conference
The People Before Profit group has staged a protest outside the RDS, where the Green Party are holding a day-long convention to decide on the revised programme for government and the ’bad bank’ Nama.
The group is demanding the Greens pull out of Government over Nama.
One protester tried to gain access to the convention claiming his child was being denied a special needs education, but gardaí removed him.
The junior coalition party needs two-thirds of members to sign off on the programme, with leader John Gormley warning failure will collapse the Government.
Negotiations between Fianna Fáil and the Greens ended before 9pm last night after a compromise was reached on education and political reform.
It is understood electoral reform, including TDs and Senators expenses, and a reversal of education cutbacks were among Green Party demands.
Party leader John Gormley described the revised proposals as a good deal, but said he wasn’t taking anything for granted.
“I think our membership expects high standards. They will expect a good deal and we have to sell this document to them,” he said.
“But they will look at this document and I think there are places where they will be impressed with what we have achieved.
“Particularly in the area of education. We have achieved a great deal.”
In the early afternoon members will debate a motion requesting the party continue in Government based on the new programme before a separate motion asking they reject Nama.
Debates and voting will be held behind closed doors with the results expected to be announced after 6pm.
