Catherine Martin kicks off the debate - saying the “monumental” negotiations have led to a “compromise - a blend of what’s important to us, but also what’s important to FF and FG”
She expressed regret that the party did not win more concessions on welfare, housing and arts - but “we should enter government with our eyes wide open... I have decided to vote yes… [in govt] we will always be prepared and able to push out the Green boundaries further”
Martin: There are political risks over going in, but: “These are risks worth taking.”
Martin: “We must put the country first - and never let be said, we didn’t do at all times what we must do for the planet.”
What might be bad news to Independent TDs, who expected a hotline: Martin says if she's in cabinet she won't be offering prioritised access to any TD; every TD must have the same access to ministers
Elsewhere she laments the failure to secure pay equality for teachers but says it was resisted by others on the basis of the acute financial problems caused by #covid19ireland.
She'd like the pupil-teacher ratio to fall from 26:1 to 20:1 over the next govt.
She'd like the pupil-teacher ratio to fall from 26:1 to 20:1 over the next govt.
Interesting one: Martin says the PfG should be renegotiated when the Taoiseach's job is being handed over [December 2022], and that she'd like its implementation to be reviewed every two months
Speaking now is @MarcKC_Green - he fought "tooth and nail" for the inclusion of a ban on live animal exports.
He says the greyhound industry will now have to prove the welfare of hounds in order to access state funding
He says the greyhound industry will now have to prove the welfare of hounds in order to access state funding
Finance spokesperson @neasa_neasa now speaking - the first who is specifically against the deal - on the areas she negotiated, housing and finance. Says the housing policy is based on home ownership as a housing solution
@neasa_neasa Hourigan: "Honestly, we were wary in the tax discussions. Both FG and FF and FG came to us that weren't particularly full of ideas on expanding the tax base." We proposed a wealth tax, a flight tax, poverty-proofing of budgets, public banking, a site value tax, a windfall tax…
@neasa_neasa Hourigan asked what happened to the Occupied Territories Bill. "Simon Coveney happened!", she jokes. Summarises that we just "weren't able to include it."
@neasa_neasa Hourigan outlining problems with what she sees as fiscal stance, likening it to someone who resolves to keep their credit card debt manageable. If you're only making minimum repayments and trying to manage cost, you don't go to Dunnes the next day and spend €200 on clothes
Hourigan on housing: 79,000 people awaiting social homes, so even the commitment of 50,000 new ones doesn't solve that; a large proportion of those 50,000 homes are likely not to be new builds but rather long-lease from private developers
.@smytho is next up, speaking very enthusiastically about the commitment to retrofit half a million homes
He recognises that those who face higher fuel costs will need an energy-efficient alternative, but seems confident it'll happen.
Says the road maintenance budget is secure
He recognises that those who face higher fuel costs will need an energy-efficient alternative, but seems confident it'll happen.
Says the road maintenance budget is secure
@smytho He was also enthusiastic about legalising cannabis but "FG and FF said no"
Smyth says no specific road projects will be blocked. Prep work for the Galway by-pass will continue under this govt, he says, though the construction isn't likely to begin within its term
but: the M20 motorway between Limerick and Cork will not go ahead within the next five years
.@rodericogorman says it will not be a government of austerity - he says the clause on deficit reduction says it happens only "as the economy grows". "There won't be deficit reduction without economic growth and employment growth," he says
@rodericogorman "The Green Party will not be part of austerity."
@rodericogorman Roderic O'Gorman: "If FF and FG continually fail to deliver a priority… or if the do something completely at variance with it, I have no problem leaving… if the other parties aren't delivering on those policies, I've no reason to be there."
@rodericogorman He adds: "If we are going into government, we are going to end direct provision."
@rodericogorman O'Gorman says the Greens will look for the right to appoint the Attorney General and, if they don't get it, will veto any unacceptable appointment
