Greens deny revolt over coalition role

The Green Party today denied it was facing a grassroots revolt after it lost its second local councillor within 24 hours.

Former deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Bronwen Maher quit over claims her party was propping up a Fianna Fáil-led government which had lost public confidence.

Ms Maher, whose decision followed yesterday’s exit by Chris O’Leary of Cork City Council, said other Green councillors had concerns and may consider leaving.

The ex-Dáil candidate, flanked by freshly-printed “Independent” candidate posters, said her immediate priority was to retain her seat in the Dublin City Council elections in June.

The mother-of-one, 52, said she couldn’t forgive the Government’s two Green ministers for supporting cuts in health, education, equality, public transport and a cervical cancer vaccination programme.

“The Green Party is now rightly seen to be propping up a Government that has lost the confidence of the Irish people, and which is unable to come up with any meaningful solution or way forward in this economic downturn.”

She added: “I know there are a few other councillors that are very concerned. I think we may see a gradual loss of party members who may go off and do other things.”

The Greens, which have six TDs and two Senators, entered government for the first time in its history in June 2007 despite opposition from a small section of the party. The leadership also faced criticism for backing the Lisbon Treaty last year.

Green Party Minister Eamon Ryan denied the party was in freefall and insisted there was regular consultation on policy issues with members.

“People are entitled to their opinions but they’re not mine,” he added.

Senior party sources said the resignations were disappointing but came as no surprise.

A spokesman for Greens’ leader John Gormley, who was attending a Cabinet meeting, said: “The party is in Government for tough times as well as good times. As long as the party is advancing its policies it will stay the course.

“Mr Gormley utterly rejects suggestions that the party is in Government for the sake of it. If it finds it is not advancing its aims, then it will think again.”

Patricia McKenna, a member of the party’s National Executive Committee and its first MEP yesterday claimed the Greens were in complete denial about the crisis within its ranks.

In her resignation letter to Mr Gormley, Ms Maher said the Greens’ performance in Government was making it increasingly irrelevant and out of touch.

Environment Minister Mr Gormley will face his councillors for the first time since the resignations when he meets local election candidates at a day-long meeting in Drogheda on Saturday.

His spokesman said the party’s record in government since mid-2007 showed continuous achievement in many core policy areas.