If the Greens wish to avoid oblivion they should quit now

AS I watch in fascinated horror at the inexorable progress of the Green party in committing an act of political suicide by nailing their colours, alongside those of their coalition partners, on the mast of the slowly sinking ship Ireland Inc, in pursuit of an insane policy spearheaded by NAMA, they would do well carefully to consider their current position.

By pulling the plug on this Government now, in what might possibly be construed as an act of political integrity unheard of in these days, it would give them at least a fighting chance of salvaging something from a general election now rather than later when they will undoubtedly face oblivion.

Some of their proposals to clean up the banking sector, such as trying to change the boards of directors, are tantamount to toying with the deck chairs on Ireland Inc. They must surely be only too aware that the same names keep appearing with monotonous regularity on the boards of both big business and the banks.

If they think these people will permit them, or any other politicians, to change the status quo, then I’m afraid the political classes are even more deviously gullible than the populace thinks.

Further, as it seems almost impossible to find an ethical politician, judging from the list of recently-published unvouched expenses, how are they going to recruit enough honest citizens for these same boards, notwithstanding the foregoing and the fact that most businesses, and in particular banks, are unashamedly amoral?

The behaviour of those government nominees to the board of Anglo Irish Bank, freshly nationalised, being a prime example of directors ignoring the public interest in favour of the shareholders, albeit in this case the Government itself.

Perhaps the Greens could get our finance minister to explain this situation at Anglo more fully than he has been prepared to do so far?

If they really believe the banks are going to do the decent thing and make credit more easily available, after they have been recapitalised to the tune of several billion euro by the taxpayer, rather than tending to their own greedy ambitions, they are seriously deluding themselves and the general public. They would be better advised to acquaint themselves with what is currently, but not exclusively happening in the US financial system.

I’d be prepared to wager a NAMA-like sum that we are more likely to witness the Second Coming before boards of directors start behaving ethically. Anyway, I doubt if you could find a bookmaker foolish enough – even Ivan Yates – to take the bet at greater odds than NAMA has of succeeding without impoverishing us all for decades to come.

All I am asking is that the Greens start behaving honestly and ethically in favour of the Irish people rather than well-connected businesses, as their party is perceived to be doing at the moment contrary to their stated opposition to vested interests. Most people realise it’s going to be an uphill battle, but the process has got to start somewhere, and here and now seems as opportune a time as manana.

If the Greens persist in government, there is always the option of voting no to Lisbon as a protest against the current situation.

Liam Power

14 Srahanarry

Bangor Erris

Ballina

Co Mayo