Gormley hints he will support cuts despite party's unease
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GREEN Party leader John Gormley has hinted he will back the Government's controversial education cuts -- despite growing opposition within his own party.
The party's TDs, led by Dublin Mid-West TD Paul Gogarty, are due to meet tomorrow to push for the Budget decision to cut teacher numbers and increase class sizes to be reversed.
But Mr Gormley said that while the party was "not happy" with education cuts, the state of the nation's finances could not be ignored.
"We do have a really, really, serious economic situation here; and if the money is not available right now, that is something that we have to take into consideration, there is no way around that," he said.
He told RTE's Week in Politics that the party was in government "for the long haul" for the benefit of future generations, and was not pushed about what other people thought of them. "We are the Green Party, we will make decisions for ourselves; that is how we do our business. We consult widely, we consult with our grassroots and we make decisions on that basis," he said.
But Labour education spokesman Ruairi Quinn upped the pressure on the Greens by pointing out that his party would be bringing a private members motion this week to reverse the education cuts.
"Each Green Party minister and deputy will have to decide either to support the unprecedented act of social vandalism directed at the education system by the Government, or to stand with parents, pupils and teachers who are outraged at the damage the cuts will do," he said.
Although Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe was returning from the state trade mission to China yesterday, it is understood that he is not for turning on the issue. He has said that 200 primary and 200 secondary teacher positions are set to be cut to save €96m per year.
Government sources said it was a time for "backbone" and "solidarity" to ensure that the financial savings made in the Budget were pushed through.
- Michael Brennan
