Greens abstain and criticise Ahern on gangs Bill

[Gruffalo]

THE GREEN Party last night voted against the Government for the first time since the administration was formed in 2007, when its two Senators rejected a guillotining of the final stage of the controversial Criminal Justice Amendment Bill.

Senators Dan Boyle and Deirdre de Burca also abstained in the final vote when the Bill was passed by 35 votes to 7, with the support of Fine Gael. The Greens voted against the Government motion to take the report or final stage last night rather than allowing extra time today but it was accepted by 24 to 20 votes.

Mr Boyle, the party chairman, said afterwards that the Greens were unhappy with assurances given by Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern about how the review of the legislation would be conducted in 12 months time.

Greens abstain and criticise Ahern on gangs Bill - The Irish Times - Wed, Jul 15, 2009

A little dissent at last but if the Greens think that this will save their arses then they are going to be in for a surprise come the next election. But by the looks of it, when Tweedledum needed help to get the bill passed, Tweedledummer were happy to oblige. You gotta love Irish politics.

[lostexpectation]

so now they never vote at odds with the government policy comes unstuck for everything else

[Executive Steve]

Too little too late.

RIP the Irish Green Party, I never did get around to voting for you, and by God am I glad.

[greengoose2]

Too little too late.

RIP the Irish Green Party, I never did get around to voting for you, and by God am I glad.

God , that looks like a Gogarty inspired damp squib. Rolling around the floor is far more entertaing but equally as idiotic as this last stand effort.

This crowd are really small timers. As the late Sean Brennan told them, "You're playing with the big lads now". More likely the big lads are playing them like a cat plays with a mouse before it gets gobbled up!

They had a winning hand but just don't know how to play the cards. The should have looked at the Tony Gregory System from the CJH days.

[Question R24U]

Brave - is not the word.

This means only the Green Members can take them out of government. They have not so much as sold out as gone native. The number of years in goverment playing games in politics can have an adverse effect - one too many and they might turn Bertie.

[DCon]

So, they oppose a bill that FG and FF support and was guaranteed to pass.

look at us, we're the Greens. We have independent thought!

But, last week Deirdre deBurca was dragged from the bar to ensure that a FF vote was passed.

[Furze]

If the bill was defeated in the Seanad - what would have happened.
Delay of holidays ?

[Question R24U]

So, they oppose a bill that FG and FF support and was guaranteed to pass.

look at us, we're the Greens. We have independent thought!

But, last week Deirdre deBurca was dragged from the bar to ensure that a FF vote was passed.

There is no such thing as a FF vote - there was a vote to support a minor Goverment amendment to a Defamation bill.
The Green Party supports collective cabinet responsiblity - except when the they are showboating.. That is the end of the story.

[slx]

If the two of them had any scruples, they'd have voted AGAINST it. Abstaining is the cowards way out.

[Digout]

More spin, they would not do this in the Dail when they had a chance. This makes me despise them even more.