Greens in Government - What a difference?

[Pidge]

Learn what?

Wait and see!

Dude, stop outsourcing arguments. Please! Every time there's an argument, you either refer to someone as a "WingNut", defer to an argument which you previously made (but won't link to), defer to someone else or simply say that you know something we don't.

[Auditor #9]

Has the greens' entry into governement put some strain on the membership?

(I know about the unanimity of the vote for entry)

[Pidge]

Has the greens' entry into governement put some strain on the membership?

Oddly enough, there's been a fairly big increase in membership since (not what I expected, to be honest). I don't know anyone from my local branch who's left, but I imagine that some people nationally have done so. Overall numbers are up, that's all I know.

[Brocolli]

Has the greens' entry into governement put some strain on the membership?

(I know about the unanimity of the vote for entry)

Yes, membership of the Green Party is up over 50% since entering Government. This has put quite a strain on resources.

[Auditor #9]

Do ye think ye have better (drinking, debating) sessions than Fianna Fáil?

[The Collective.]

I'll be paitent to judge. I prefere a FF/Green gov to a FF gov.

[carguy]

The thing that has impressed me (and most politicians I have spoken to) is how effective Eamon Ryan (in particular) and John Gormley have been as Ministers.

Not so much in the ************************e that plays out in the meeja on a daily basis, but moreso in how they have gotten stuck into their new jobs, mastered the complexities of their respective briefs (two of the most complex Ministries), and begun the process of delivering change.

The usual suspects will whinge and complain about how the Green Ministers weren't able to row back decisions made by the previous Government, and how they have failed to do things (that they couldn't legally do in the first place - and would not have been allowed do even if they were in with FF light and FF lighter) that they (and I) would have liked to have seen done.


The Green Ministers (and Senator Dan Boyle) have shown the establishment and the voters that they are capable, committed, and statesmanlike.

If FG and Labour could focus on doing the same we might see a non-FF Government after 2012.

The Greens are supporting a military presence in Shannon, the building of a Ringsend Incinerator, the M3 and the worst and most cynical thing is that they tolerate corruption and perjury whilst support the worst health minister there has ever been. They are attempting to bring in economically damaging policies that will increase pollution viv-a-vis pm10 particles from diesels and toxic mercury from CFLs.

I can't decide if they are just hypcritical sleaze merchant supports or plain incompetant especially after the school water charge issue came to the fore remember Gormless comments?

When asked by RTE he said thet the heavy burden of rip off water charges (charges now being collected by private companies!) on schools said he would be encouraging them to save water and thus reduce their bills. Blaming the charges on an EU law and had nothing to do with him!.
When it was suggested that perhaps he could ease the burden on schools by persuading his cabinet colleagues to increase capitation grants he replied.

"That’s a matter for the Dept. of Education, nothing to do with me".
Obviously he was not bothered to read the relevant European Directive, which specifically permits Governments to grant exemptions to water charges so either he couldn't give a flying V or was too inept to have doing anything about it.

What sort of a "Green" party are they?

Truly they have completeley sold out. Once upon a time these people calimed to be interested in Social Justice. It now sounds like a fairy story.

How any one with any form of a moral compass would want to be associated with these individuals I do not know. They have totally lost their floating voters.

[certain_people]

I can't see any real difference myself. For the government the election might as well have never happened and I can't see any fundamental differences between the government before the election and after it. Every policy the government was implementing before the election is still being implemented and the government hasn't really started doing anything new.

Funny, I was pretty sure the increased energy efficiency ratings for houses was new, as was the emmissions-based VRT and motor tax, as was the new terms for hydrocarbon exploration licences in Rockall/Hatton, review of waste management policies, local government and Seanad reform consultations in progress, review of archaeological protection.....and that's just off the top of my head.

[blucey]

I can't see any real difference myself. For the government the election might as well have never happened and I can't see any fundamental differences between the government before the election and after it. Every policy the government was implementing before the election is still being implemented and the government hasn't really started doing anything new.

Funny, I was pretty sure the increased energy efficiency ratings for houses was new, as was the emmissions-based VRT and motor tax, as was the new terms for hydrocarbon exploration licences in Rockall/Hatton, review of waste management policies, local government and Seanad reform consultations in progress, review of archaeological protection.....and that's just off the top of my head.

Still u havent learned - the easiest way to kill an initiative is to appoint consultants to review it. Greens were marked day one on Tara, and like a player kneed in the tunnel are afraid of their man.

[certain_people]

I look forward to saying "I told you so" when the review policies are implemented.