Green Party promises cleaner politics

THE Green Party has promised to cut Ireland's carbon emissions, deliver 10,000 social and affordable houses a year, increase social welfare payments and clean up the political system if returned to power.

But leader Trevor Sargent yesterday admitted that some of his party’s commitments might have to be sacrificed in negotiations to form a government.

“None of it’s aspirational, it’s all necessary. But the nature of a coalition is that you have to negotiate your priorities and ensure that you get a critical mass of policies that will make the necessary difference,” he explained.