Government has been tumultuous for Greens but party is focused on policy wins

Many in the Greens accept that any electoral backlash to this Government will focus on them, meaning they are concentrating on amassing as many legislative wins as possible before then 

Eamon Ryan took over as leader after the Green Party lost all its Dáil seats in the 2011 general election. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

In the run-up to the 2007 general election, then taoiseach Bertie Ahern approached his scriptwriter and adviser Brian Murphy with an unusual request.

Ahern, mired in major controversy over his own financial affairs, was chasing but not assured of a historic third term in office.