Climate ‘too important for playing politics’
Mr Gormley, who strongly criticised Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats for their “gombeenism in government” at last year’s annual convention, switched his target to Fine Gael and Labour for this year’s convention, which took place in Dundalk.
In his leader’s address on Saturday night, Mr Gormley told delegates that all parties needed to “agree on the targets and measures required to tackle climate change”.
The Environment Minister said he had appointed members of the opposition to key positions on state boards and as chair of the joint oireachtas committee on climate change.
He appealed to the opposition to “reciprocate that generosity” saying: “Put away the petty squabbling and the cheap shots, forget the negative nonsense and come on board and work with us in the best interest of the country and our planet.”
Mr Gormley said it was “vital” that climate change formed part of social partnership.
Talks on a new social partnership agreement are due to begin next month.
“As citizens, as workers, as employers and business people, as farmers, as voluntary organisations and NGOs — we all need to play our part,” he said.
“I believe that our system in social partnership offers the opportunity for a new cross-sectoral approach complementing a strong cross-party approach to tackle climate change.”
The Chinese ambassador to Ireland, Liu Biwei, walked out in protest during the speech when Mr Gormley criticised what he described as human rights abuses in Tibet.
Elsewhere, Mr Gormley expressed his “full confidence” in the Mahon Tribunal. Mr Gormley is the minister responsible for the tribunal, which was strongly criticised by Fianna Fáil members of the Government, including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, in recent weeks.
Mr Gormley said he hoped the tribunal would “reach its conclusions quickly” and said: “It is our fervent hope that all of the tribunals of inquiry will root out forensically every last morsel of corruption from Irish political life.”
Mr Gormley made a brief mention of health, saying progress in reforming the health service had been slow, and that the party expected to see “tangible improvements” in access for public patients.
He also said that, during the Greens’ time in government, there had been a “distinct change in attitude to the problem of alcohol in society”. But he said it was “time to deal comprehensively with the problem that has left so much tragedy in its wake”.
