Greens gag members over FF
Ban on public expression as parties enter talks
Trevor Sargent has reason to celebrate after an impressive performance in Dublin North where he romped home with 11,611 votes
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THE Green Party has gagged its TDs, councillors and candidates from giving their views about going into government into Fianna Fail.
The party is now in contact with FF about a potential coalition deal. The Greens confirmed contact was made by FF in relation to "a possible exchange of policy documents".
In its first official statement on the post-election negotiations, the party said: "The Green Party is considering all related matters and will respond over the coming days."
The ban on public expressions follows a number of embarrassing comments about FF.
FF sources believe the position of the Greens and party leader Trevor Sargent has mellowed over recent days, as the chances of a deal were slipping away.
"The reality has hit them that John Gormley's statement that he cannot bear another five years in opposition is staring them in the face," a party source said.
Several Green Party figures said yesterday they would like to say what they think about a FF deal, whether for or against it, but party headquarters has told them to say nothing if contacted by the media.
The Greens have played down the remarks made by Dun Laoghaire TD Ciaran Cuffe, where he described a deal with FF as "a deal with the devil".
Mr Sargent's emphasis on banning corporate donations and "cleaning up" politics over the course of the campaign irked Finance Minister Brian Cowen.
"I don't need anyone to keep me straight or clean me up," he snapped at the weekend.
Green Party general secretary Donal Geoghegan tried to take the heat out of the situation as he said "we've no soap and water ready for Brian Cowen". Mr Cuffe's comments will have reminded FF of the inherent difficulties of dealing with the Greens and how they may not be the most stable option.
Mr Cuffe wrote in his personal website: "Let's be clear. A deal with Fianna Fail would be a deal with the devil. We would be spat out after five years, and decimated as a Party. But, ... would it be worth it? "
Despite their own best efforts to talk their way out of a coalition deal with FF, the party is now on the brink of entering negotiations. For the time being, the Greens are keeping their representatives quiet, and outspoken figures like former MEP Patricia McKenna are keeping quiet.
The "media blackout" was instigated via a text to party figures right across the country.
"It's nothing major. It's just saying to be careful," a party spokesman said.
Fianna Fail's continued emphasis on stability in government means the Greens will have to prove they can be trusted over the long haul and not just bolt at the first sign of a crisis.
- Fionnan Sheahan
