Government stays silent over Green’s rotation policy
Yesterday evening, TV3 reported that Environment Minister John Gormley had confirmed to the party’s national executive committee of the existence of a Cabinet rotation pact between him and backbench TD, Ciarán Cuffe.
The report said the parliamentary party deal had previously been kept secret from the committee.
It involves Mr Cuffe replacing Mr Gormley as Environment Minister and party leader in the looming Cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Gormley told the committee he was willing to step down if Taoiseach Brian Cowen did not give in to the party’s demand for a third Cabinet seat or if Mr Cuffe exercised his claim to the post, the report stated.
The TV3 report was aired shortly after 5.30pm. It came one week after the first suggestion of a rotation pact.
Afterwards, the Green Party press office could not be contacted.
The party’s spokesman in Government said he was not a member of the party and did not know what happened at its national executive meeting.
He said Mr Gormley had spoken with the Taoiseach about the Cabinet reshuffle and would do so again before Mr Cowen left for his St Patrick’s Day trip to Washington DC.
Otherwise it was speculation, he said.
The senior Government spokesman said there were ongoing political discussions. Mr Gormley and Mr Cuffe could not be contacted.
Members of the parliamentary party did not take calls last night.
Its deputy leader and national executive member, Mary White, did not respond to text messages on the rotation plan.
Green Party chairman Dan Boyle did not answer phone calls or texts. He did not comment on his Twitter internet page on the issue.
Committee member Edel Hackett confirmed she was at the meeting but said all discussions were confidential. Another member, Trish Forde-Brennan, said she could not comment on the matter and referred queries to the press office.
Other members of the NEC did not answer calls.
The reports have fuelled speculation of a deepening rift within the Green Party.
Mr Cowen himself would not be drawn on his deliberations with his junior coalition partners.
“I am not adding to any speculation on these matters. The Government is working well and both the Green Party and ourselves are anxious to continue the Programme for Government and the major decisions coming up.
“There are of course decisions now to be taken in the arena regarding the vacancies that have recently occurred. And we will deal with those comprehensively and on the basis that will confirm the unity of purpose of the Government.”
Mr Cowen also told RTÉ’s Six One news he respected outgoing minister Martin Cullen’s decision to retire completely from politics if he could not represent the people of Waterford properly.
