Greens warn Cowen as FF unease deepens
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TAOISEACH Brian Cowen faces into a New Year of deepening discontent within his coalition and Cabinet, it emerged last night.
The Greens yesterday bluntly warned him they are capable of walking out of Government.
And Fianna Fail sources insisted that some of their party's ministers are 'positioning' themselves should Mr Cowen suffer a serious electoral setback next year.
In a strong signal to the embattled Taoiseach, Greens' leader John Gormley indicated he was not in the coalition to make up the numbers. As part of a New Year message to party activists, he said: "We are not in Government for the sake of being there. If we are not advancing our aims, then we must -- and we will -- think again."
This is the first clear sign the Greens may be ready to consider an exit strategy if Mr Gormley and fellow Green minister, Eamon Ryan, consider it politically necessary. A Greens spokesman said yesterday there had been "bones of contention" within Government.
Alongside that potentially explosive development, Fianna Fail sources are complaining privately of people "not talking to each other" at Cabinet.
There are also claims of manoeuvrings behind the scenes.
A Dublin TD confirmed he was aware of "machinations" within Fianna Fail with a Cabinet connection. He said there was widespread concern within the party at the Taoiseach's performance so far -- especially in light of record low poll ratings.
Others emphasised the importance of the local and European elections for the Taoiseach -- especially with a vital Lisbon II referendum soon after.
There have been claims and counterclaims about the possible emergence of an anti-Cowen cabal within Fianna Fail. But Mr Gormley has now become the first member of Cabinet to indicate that his support for the Taoiseach could not be taken for granted.
In his New Year message to party supporters, Mr Gormley tells them not to doubt that Green ministers are capable of walking away on their own terms.
Mr Gormley admits, in the message, that he anticipated myriad problems when his party entered Government in June 2007. He says: "But quite frankly I did not foresee the unprecedented scale of the economic difficulties which now face us".
He says he retains his conviction that the party can effectively implement its policies in power. He continues: "As long as we are advancing Green party policies in Government, we must stay the course."
Alarm
The qualified commitment to continuing in coalition is likely to alarm Fianna Fail supporters, who have seen the Government majority in the Dail shrink as the result of walkouts by Joe Behan (ex-FF, Wicklow) and former Government supporter Finian McGrath (Independent, Dublin North Central).
Mr Cowen's Government could almost certainly not survive a Green pullout, especially since he has, as yet, no personal mandate to lead the country.
Last night a spokesman for the Green Party said: "The position remains the same as it always has been since June 2007, when the party members decided to enter Government. The Green Party is in for the long haul, but only as long as it is making progress by having its goals achieved."
He agreed there had been fractious moments between the coalition partners.
"There have been quite a few bones of contention within Government, but they have been resolved by discussion and dialogue behind closed doors."
- Senan Molony Deputy Political Editor
