Cowen snubs greens on reshuffle

[Newsy]

Taoiseach will overlook calls for second junior minister, despite John Gormley arguing an agreement was in place with Bertie Ahern

The taoiseach believes that any case the Greens had for a second post evaporated last year when five junior ministries were culled in a money-saving exercise, according to senior government sources.

He may offer his coalition partners the consolation of upgrading their junior minister to “super” status, a post that would give the party an extra voice at the cabinet table but not an extra vote.

Green TDs and senators failed to return phone calls about the reshuffle last week and a party spokesman would only say the appointment of ministers was a matter for the taoiseach.

Senior sources indicated that John Gormley, the leader, would press the party’s case with the taoiseach, arguing that an agreement for a second junior ministry was reached with Bertie Ahern, Cowen’s predecessor, in 2007, when the number of junior ministries stood at 17.

Cowen snubs Greens on reshuffle - Times Online

The poor greens.......oh well.....suck it up like the rest of us.....

[imokyrok]

Taoiseach will overlook calls for second junior minister, despite John Gormley arguing an agreement was in place with Bertie Ahern

The taoiseach believes that any case the Greens had for a second post evaporated last year when five junior ministries were culled in a money-saving exercise, according to senior government sources.

He may offer his coalition partners the consolation of upgrading their junior minister to “super” status, a post that would give the party an extra voice at the cabinet table but not an extra vote.

Green TDs and senators failed to return phone calls about the reshuffle last week and a party spokesman would only say the appointment of ministers was a matter for the taoiseach.

Senior sources indicated that John Gormley, the leader, would press the party’s case with the taoiseach, arguing that an agreement for a second junior ministry was reached with Bertie Ahern, Cowen’s predecessor, in 2007, when the number of junior ministries stood at 17.

Cowen snubs Greens on reshuffle - Times Online

The poor greens.......oh well.....suck it up like the rest of us.....

What ever happened with the Green musical chairs game. Is Gormley definitely going out?

[Newsy]

“They are not going to get the second junior post because the government would fall. The Fianna Fail lads would say that is just too much,” said a senior figure last week. “The Greens have been behind a lot of the crises this government has faced because of their ineptitude. They have handled this really badly. What are they contributing except disharmony and crisis? This will not happen.”

Well, greenies.....this is what ff think of you......who'd a thunk!!!!

[Newsy]

What ever happened with the Green musical chairs game. Is Gormley definitely going out?

It appears that he is staying.....or at least, wants to.

[H.R. Haldeman]

What are they offering?? Erm, well I can think of 6 things off the top pf my head.

[goosebump]

What ever happened with the Green musical chairs game. Is Gormley definitely going out?

You mean the game that only existed in the minds of the media?

Media: "Are you shuffling your Ministers?"
GP: "No."
Media Headline: Greens planned to shuffle Ministers, but then don't

[DeGaulle 2.0]

You mean the game that only existed in the minds of the media?

Media: "Are you shuffling your Ministers?"
GP: "No."
Media Headline: Greens planned to shuffle Ministers, but then don't

Are you saying that there wasn't an agreement to rotate ministers?

[goosebump]

Are you saying that there wasn't an agreement to rotate ministers?

I'm not if you can point me to a single reputable Green Party source who says that there was.

Disgruntled ex-Green Party members are pretty common these days, and this story obviously came from one of them.

[Newsy]

You mean the game that only existed in the minds of the media?

Media: "Are you shuffling your Ministers?"
GP: "No."
Media Headline: Greens planned to shuffle Ministers, but then don't

Mattie McGrath, a Fianna Fail deputy from Tipperary South, said the taoiseach couldn’t possibly concede another post to the Greens. “It is a no-go area, we can’t accept it,” he said. “They did well with their six TDs when they entered coalition. They got two seniors and an important post for a junior. They have notions above their station.

'.....notions above their station'......and do ye????

Niall Collins, a Fianna Fail TD for Limerick West, said the taoiseach should not yield to the Green claims. “The reduction in the number of junior ministers has changed everything,” he said. “There is no case for that deal any longer

The greens haven't denied that a deal existed.

[Bobert]

Very smart move by Cowen.