Greens in rally call to voice Budget concerns
Dearbhail McDonald Legal Editor
HUNDREDS of Green Party members are calling on the leadership to hold a special convention to address "palpable" concerns and divisions amongst grassroots supporters in the wake of the Government's Budget.
Earlier this week, members of the Green Party in Kerry South voted in favour of a special convention for all Green ministers, TDs, senators and grassroot supporters.
They will be joined next Wednesday by the Green party in Kerry North who will vote on a motion to hold a special convention to address the fears of party activists and would-be local election candidates "distressed by the implementation of cutbacks and certain Fianna Fail-PD policies'', according to local organisers.
Justice
An email, seen by the Irish Independent, compliments the party's achievements in government, but warned "the elements (of the Budget) which singled out the elderly, disabled, young and disadvantaged, were against all Green Party policies and our sense of equality and justice".
Under Green Party rules, special conventions can only be convened by the National Executive Committee or at the behest of five constituency organisations.
In addition to the two Kerry constituencies, support will be sought from several rural organisations disenchanted by aspects of the Budget.
North Kerry organisers say that the planned special convention will not become a referendum on the Green Party's continuation in government, but insisted aspects of the Budget were "unpalatable" to many members.
They required further debate at a local level, they added.
