Green Party leader - Gormley is best to make policy impact

WHERE the PDs lost out from the departure of high-profile leadership candidate Tom Parlon, the Greens have scored with the election of John Gormley as leader.

For over a decade, he has been one of the most influential representatives of the Green Party. After 25 years, he has now reached the pinnacle of his career, defeating Patricia McKenna in the leadership race.

As Environment Minister, he is ideally placed to put the green stamp on government policy over the next five years. But having negotiated a coalition deal with Fianna Fáil, he should be under no illusion about the daunting nature of that task.

To his cost, he has already found he is powerless to alter key decisions of ex-minister Dick Roche on the new M3 motorway being built near the historical site of the Hill of Tara.

Leading the Greens from inside the Cabinet room will be no picnic.