Gormley insists his call for budget consensus not a stunt

GREENS leader John Gormley has insisted his call for consensus on budgetary strategy was not a stunt.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said he had never believed a consensus was realistic, given the differences in policy between his party and the Government. He also questioned whether the Taoiseach had ever believed in the possibility, saying Mr Cowen had appeared sceptical from the outset.

Mr Gormley, who first proposed the idea, was regarded as dragging a reluctant Mr Cowen on board. But the Green leader last night denied his proposal had been a stunt aimed at making the Greens appear the responsible party.