Facing into the abyss

John Gormley concedes €6bn of savage cuts and tax hikes will do little for the Greens’ prospects in an election, says Political Correspondent Paul O’Brien

JOHN Gormley insists his party’s actions this week eased the political turmoil in which Ireland has been enveloped. That might seem an extraordinary claim given that the Greens’ statement last Monday — in which they announced they would support the budget but then sought a general election — triggered a day of feverish political speculation and placed all manner of pressure on Brian Cowen.

Would the Taoiseach seek an immediate dissolution of the Dáil and bring about a general election? Would the Fianna Fáil backbenchers seek his head before the budget? Would any of them support the budget if the Government clung on that long?