Irish government in chaos as Greens quit coalition

The Irish government was plunged into chaos yesterday as the junior coalition Green Party pulled out over the dramatic resignation of Taoiseach Brian Cowen as leader of the ruling Fianna Fail party.

John Gormley, leader and Environment Minister, said his party had lost patience with Fianna Fail and could no longer continue in government.

Mr Cowen on Saturday bowed to pressure to quit as party leader after an epic week of political chaos, but the Taoiseach vowed to stay on as head of the coalition government until the March 11 general election.

Flanked by TDs and senators after crisis talks in Dublin, Mr Gormley said he believed an election was absolutely necessary.

“The Irish people have begun to lose confidence in politics and in the political process,” he said.

“They have watched aghast the conduct in Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament) of political parties.

“The Irish people expect and deserve better.”

The Greens threatened to bring down the government on Thursday in the row over filling Cabinet seats left empty by the string of ministerial resignations but remained in the coalition to ensure the passing of the controversial Finance Bill, giving effect to the brutal cuts in Budget 2011 and other new cost-saving measures.

Mr Gormley said he believed it was possible to complete the Finance Bill quickly before going to a general election.

He maintained the party will remain true to its promise to support the Finance Bill from the opposition benches, with the promised co-operation of the opposition parties.

Fine Gael and Labour have already agreed to facilitate the passage of the proposed legislation by the end of the week in return for the election date being brought forward. Mr Gormley added: “We also hope that the Fianna Fail party will make every effort to fast-track this legislation.”

The Green Party leader said that for a very long time his party stood back in the hope that Fianna Fail could resolve persistent doubts about their party leadership.

Despite Mr Cowen’s resignation as party leader, but not Taoiseach, he said a definitive resolution of this has not yet been possible.

“And our patience has reached an end,” he said.

“Because of these continuing doubts, the lack of communication and the breakdown in trust, we have decided that we can no longer continue in government.”

Mr Gormley said it had been a very rare privilege to serve in government, adding it would have been preferable if it had not coincided with the worst economic downturn in the nation’s history.