A vote for the Greens a vote for Sinn Fein in Government?

[David Cochrane]

• The PD deputy for Dun Laoghaire, Fiona O’Malley, says it’s disturbing that the Green Party has refused to rule out sharing power with Sinn Fein.
  
  On the day the Government’s White Paper on Energy is being launched, she said people who had considered voting for the Greens would surely be worried by Trevor Sargent’s recent comments.
  
  “The purpose of the White Paper is to keep Ireland competitive by delivering a sustainable energy future. Are the Greens now prepared to sign up to the anti-competitive tax increases proposed by Sinn Fein? Do they also share that Party’s negative attitude to multi-national companies?”
  
  The PDs Energy spokeswoman described Deputy Sargent’s comments as bizarre, given that the Greens had previously said they would not align themselves with any party ahead of the election.
  
  She said that Sinn Fein’s economic policies were as serious a threat to our economic well-being as the IRA’s campaign was to the democratic system.
  
  “Is a vote for the Greens now a vote for Sinn Fein in Government?” she asked.

Who is the target for this press release? An article in yesterdays Sunday Independent claimed an exclusive from the Greens that Trevor Sargeant would share power with Sinn Fein.

• Talking exclusively to the Sunday Independent, Mr Sargent said: "Sinn Fein have moved away from violence into the realm of supporting law and order.
  
  "Their decision on policing has made it easier for them to be considered like all other parties. The only question now is if they can bring their supporters with them, but the reasons for excluding them from power are fast evaporating."

So, if Sinn Fein are ready for Government up north, are they ready for Government down south? And if they are - who are their preferred coalition partners?

• "That is something you should retain. It is a very, very powerful instrument in the run-up to the election and immediately following it." Caoimhghin O Caolain, SF TD, urging conference delegates not to rule out coalition with Fianna Fail after the election.

[Norfolk Enchants]

• The PD deputy for Dun Laoghaire, Fiona O’Malley, says it’s disturbing that the Green Party has refused to rule out sharing power with Sinn Fein.
  
  On the day the Government’s White Paper on Energy is being launched, she said people who had considered voting for the Greens would surely be worried by Trevor Sargent’s recent comments.
  
  “The purpose of the White Paper is to keep Ireland competitive by delivering a sustainable energy future. Are the Greens now prepared to sign up to the anti-competitive tax increases proposed by Sinn Fein? Do they also share that Party’s negative attitude to multi-national companies?”
  
  The PDs Energy spokeswoman described Deputy Sargent’s comments as bizarre, given that the Greens had previously said they would not align themselves with any party ahead of the election.
  
  She said that Sinn Fein’s economic policies were as serious a threat to our economic well-being as the IRA’s campaign was to the democratic system.
  
  “Is a vote for the Greens now a vote for Sinn Fein in Government?” she asked.

Who is the target for this press release? An article in yesterdays Sunday Independent claimed an exclusive from the Greens that Trevor Sargeant would share power with Sinn Fein.

• Talking exclusively to the Sunday Independent, Mr Sargent said: "Sinn Fein have moved away from violence into the realm of supporting law and order.
  
  "Their decision on policing has made it easier for them to be considered like all other parties. The only question now is if they can bring their supporters with them, but the reasons for excluding them from power are fast evaporating."

So, if Sinn Fein are ready for Government up north, are they ready for Government down south? And if they are - who are their preferred coalition partners?

Another case of the PD's trying to sabotage the democratic process with anything but addressing the issues i.e. their pathetic record in government, on Health, Justice and their self-proclaimed role as government watchdogs .

Their ads re. crime figures etc. are nothing but lies and this type of pathetic attempt at vote gathering shows the level of desparation, undersatndable though when they are on target for 1% of the vote

[rockofcashel]

if this is the Greens new stance, fair play to them.

I will once again revise my stated position, and will now give them transfers.

So long as this is the position.

And will ye hurry up and declare in Tipp South

[qtman]

Is the PDs entire election campaign going to be based on rants that are entirely at odds with the obvious sympathies of the electorate?

[White Horse]

Th Greens know that they benefit from SF transfers and do not want to antagonise SF voters.

They also know that the decision to negotiate with SF is dependent upon the position of the two large parties.

This is a very pragmatic position for the Greens and Fiona O'Malley is over-reacting.

[Rocky]

No because it is impossible for the Greens to go into government with SF alone, they need either FG or FF and therefore it's really up to them if SF get into government anyway.

The only way the Greens and SF could end up in government together is in the case of a FF/Green/SF government and that is very unlikely and FG won't go into government with SF.

In reality this is just an attempt by the Greens to get SF transfers and it will probably work. I think they’ve also left it vague enough to not scare away middle class voters.

[Skin]

No because it is impossible for the Greens to go into government with SF alone, they need either FG or FF and therefore it's really up to them if SF get into government anyway.

The only way the Greens and SF could end up in government together is in the case of a FF/Green/SF government and that is very unlikely and FG won't go into government with SF.

In reality this is just an attempt by the Greens to get SF transfers and it will probably work. I think they’ve also left it vague enough to not scare away middle class voters.

I'd agree with this sentiment, Sargeant didnt exactly say he would go into government with but rather coalition with SF is no now longer to be ruled out.

[Skin]

No because it is impossible for the Greens to go into government with SF alone, they need either FG or FF and therefore it's really up to them if SF get into government anyway.

The only way the Greens and SF could end up in government together is in the case of a FF/Green/SF government and that is very unlikely and FG won't go into government with SF.

In reality this is just an attempt by the Greens to get SF transfers and it will probably work. I think they’ve also left it vague enough to not scare away middle class voters.

I'd agree with this sentiment, Sargeant didnt exactly say he would go into government with but rather coalition with SF is no now longer to be ruled out.

[DevtheevenOgre]

Wonder if Fiona and Rottweiler would be so anti-Shinner if the only way the PDs could get back into government would be as part of a minority ff-PD government supported by SF??? :wink:

[MacCoise]

I dont get it, a vote for FG is a vote to keep FF out, a vote for the Green is actually a vote for SF, a vote for Labour is a vote for FG and a vote for the PDs is a vote for FF.

Can i just vote for a party because I want them in government on their own merits?