Greens expecting ‘collateral damage’

THE Green Party secretary has admitted that there will be a certain level of “collateral damage” to the party at the polls on Friday.

Dan Boyle said he doesn’t think the party will be hammered for its association with Fianna Fáil.

But he accepted that the damage could be the difference between a small party winning or not winning a council seat.

“There is a level of collateral damage. We have a core vote but it’s the crucial additional votes in the form of transfers or floating voters – that’s where we are struggling at the moment and we are reaching out to those votes in the last week of the campaign,” he said.

“It could be the difference between winning seats and not winning seats and for a small party that’s dangerous.”

Mr Boyle was speaking in Cork at the launch of his party’s Vision for Cork document.

It sets out a range of projects and policies the Green Party would like to achieve in Cork city and county in the areas of community development, public transport and developing a green economy.

One of the key targets is to secure from the UN Special Protection Area status for Cork Harbour.

“The harbour area must be protected and assisted to reach its full potential,” the European election candidate said.

“The Green Party want to develop Cork Harbour as a tourist destination and open Spike Island to the public.

“Our plan for Cork envisages efficient and affordable public transport, a light rail system for Cork city, dedicated bus and cycle lanes and the regeneration of Cork docklands.

“These plans are achievable, but only if strong green voices exist on local authorities and in Europe.”

Senator Boyle also rejected Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny’s suggestion that the local election will create the momentum for a general election.

“I’ve never seen it happen in local elections before,” Mr Boyle said.

“I have seen taoisigh damaged by local elections – Jack Lynch in ’79, and Albert Reynolds in ’91.

“But the opposition parties in particular are trying to make this a referendum on the Government.

“I happen to believe that whoever was in Government at the moment would experience the same levels of unpopularity. We are in difficult times and it requires difficult decisions.

“I believe in fixed term government. I would like to see this government continue for as long as it can, to achieve what it can.”

He urged people to vote Green if they want a better Government.

And he said the party has never ruled out coalition talks with any party, including Sinn Féin.

“We are willing to talk with every political party about coalition,” he said.

“We have even talked about national Government. Such a mess as we are in at the moment requires political consensus not being seen at the moment.”