Greens ‘too toxic’ to canvass for treaty

The Greens’ spokesman on Europe says the party is “still so toxic” in the public eye that it should play no role in canvassing for the fiscal treaty.

Cllr Brian Meaney said a canvassing effort by the Greens could backfire on the yes side and actually harm the treaty’s chances of ratification.

It is extremely rare for a politician to suggest his or her party should not canvass because of public hostility. But Mr Meaney said the opinions of the Greens were “mostly irrelevant” to the bulk of the electorate in any case.