Greens refuse to call for FG transfers

THE Green Party is calling on its voters to pass on their transfers to non-Government parties.

But, while Fine Gael is asking its supporters to continue their preferences to Labour and the Green Party, neither of the two are returning the compliment.

Green Party TD Dan Boyle also said the party's councillors would not make deals with Fianna Fáil or the Progressive Democrats.

He said the idea of co-operating with and supporting the Government parties at local Government level is anathema to the Greens.

"We are saying to people on the doorsteps to vote against the Government. We think they should be removed. We believe in a discerning voting public," added Mr Boyle.

The Greens launched their local election campaign with plans to reform local government.

These include the introduction of directly elected mayors, a Local Government Ombudsman, Local Public Accounts Committees and the lowering of the voting age to 16.

The party hopes to treble its representation on councils in the elections on June 11. The party currently has eight city and county councillors and six town councillors. It is running more than 100 candidates in 23 counties all bar Sligo, Cavan and Monaghan. The Greens hope to win up to 30 city and county council sets and 20 town council seats.