Dan Boyle: The Case For

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From top: Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan (left) and deputy leader Catherine Martin during the 2020 General Election; Dan Boyle

I have posted my vote.

In my 30 years of public life I have learned that the opportunity to achieve deep change comes about infrequently.  I know others in my party think differently. They are sincere in their beliefs, but I believe are mistaken in their analysis.

To me Climate Justice is Social Justice. Only by being in government can we advance social justice in ways that would not happen were we not to be there.

However much it is presented by some, a programme of government is not of itself, a legal document. It is a prospectus of what an agreed government seeks to bring into being in government.

Policies, goals and objectives that can only come about through approved and passed legislation. Legislation only gets passed by the Oireachtas through a government having a working majority.

You can doubt the trust and sincerity of those agreeing a programme of government, but without a programme and the forming of a government on its basis, no legislative change can occur.

The A Word is featuring strongly in the debate on whether or not The Green Party should enter government. Those advocating a No vote see austerity as a given, if the party participates.  The argument is augmented by stating the proposed programme for government brings this about.

There are many economic tools that can be used to work towards achieving a balanced budget, the last and least of which should be public expenditure cuts. The hope is that sustained increased economic activity continues bringing with it greater tax buoyancy.

This proposed Programme for Government does not promote or encourage austerity. It does the opposite.

We recover. We borrow. We invest. We stimulate. We sustain. If and when a balanced budget is achieved, some tax cuts might be possible, but that won’t be any time soon.

The difference between now and 2008/10 is significant. Then the Eurozone, the European Central Bank and influence of the German government were obsessed with balanced budgets. Now governments throughout Europe will be borrowing to invest to stimulate.

I am certain that the vast majority of people who voted for The Green Party in the general election want the party to be in government, enacting the policies that we Greens have been asking them to support, over the course of many, many elections.

This large majority of Green supporters recognise achievements in the proposed programme for government, while realising that many areas of Green policy are not included.

These supporters also accept that the component parties of this possible government are not naturally aligned.

This support goes beyond Green voters. It can also be seen and heard in the views expressed by environmental NGOs, social justice NGOs, and civil society NGOs. It is repeated by many academics who analyse and write about a wide area of public policy.

As a local public representative I see and hear these views being expressed by community groups, campaigning groups and by people involved in civic life. They largely tell me the same thing. They say we hope you take this opportunity to make a difference.

Today and tomorrow are the likely last days for Green Party members vote on the whether or not to participate in government.

To those who have yet to vote I would ask them to ask themselves one question. What decision on government best represents those who support The Greens?

Dan Boyle is a former Green Party TD and Senator and serves as a Green Party councillor on Cork City Council. His column appears here every Thursday. Follow Dan on Twitter: @sendboyle

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33 thoughts on “Dan Boyle: The Case For

  1. bisted

    …the expected green surge did not materialise in the last election and most green TDs were elected on the basis of being included in the transfers of people who identified them as part of the movement for change…

    1. Cian

      Still not true.

      They got 12 TDs elected; 5 were ‘easily’ elected – they were first or second across the line needing few transfers; 4 were the last across the line – but that matched their FP (so they got the same amount of transfers as everyone else); only 3 were very lucky with the transfers – they got more transfers than other candidates who originally got more first preferences.

      I’ve posted this before but in case people haven’t seen it:
      Eamon Ryan [Dublin Bay South – 4] 1st FP; elected on 1st count
      Catherine Martin [Dublin Rathdown – 3] 1st FP; 1st elected
      Ossian Smyth [Dún Laoghaire – 4] 2nd FP; 1st elected
      Joe O’Brien [Dublin Fingal – 5] 3rd FP; 2nd elected
      Neasa Hourigan [Dublin Central – 4] 3rd FP; 2nd elected

      Steven Matthews [Wicklow – 5] 4th FP; 4th elected
      Francis Noel Duffy [Dublin South-West – 5] 4th FP; 4th elected
      Brian Leddin [Limerick City – 4] 4th FP; 4th elected
      Roderic O’Gorman [Dublin West – 4] 4th FP; 4th elected

      Patrick Costello [Dublin South-Central – 4] 5th FP; 3rd elected – lucky with transfers.
      Marc Ó Cathasaigh [Waterford – 4] 6th FP; last elected
      Malcolm Noonan [Carlow–Kilkenny – 5] 7th FP; last elected

      1. Liam

        that somewhat ignores party preference. In Wicklow FG and SF each got about 25% of the first prefs, and the Greens got 8%. Matthews was lucky to be elected on those numbers, he benefited from poor vote management by FG and SF.

        Having said all that I think the Greens should take the deal – there’s no possibility of a SF led govt and it’s very likely another election would see the Greens in a weaker position.

  2. Truth in the News

    What have Greens to show for their previous foray in Government from
    2007 -2011, why did they allow Fianna Fail to wreck the economy and
    then fail to personally and physically to influence the most important decisions
    ever made in this Country which gave FF a free run
    In fact the straddling of Bank debt on to the backs of the Irish People has
    much to do with the Greens as Fianna Fail……in fact they allowed Fianna
    Fail to get away with it and indeed to let Brussels and Merkel to walk all
    over us:

    1. Cian

      In 2007 the government was made up of:
       Fianna Fáil (77), Green Party (6), Independent (4), Progressive Democrats (2)
      The Greens only had 6 out of 89 TDs! They had less than 7% of the say in that government. AND the government only needed 83 for a majority so FF+Green or FF+PD+Inds was sufficient, FF could play the Greens off the PDs/Independents.

      So tell me again how the 6 Green TDs are as much at fault as the 77 FF TDs?

      1. Truth in the News

        The famous “Incorporeal” Cabinet meeting of which two members were from
        the Green Party, were they in bed when they caved in, if they pulled the plug
        Angela nee Kasner would not have got away with it, we were used as EU
        monetary cannon fodder to save their Banks courtesy of Irish Greens, there
        aptly named “Green”

          1. Truth in the News

            FF did not have 15 Ministers at Cabinet level at the time and if they did
            they must have some sort of bionic attribute that are made up of two people
            from the one person, as to Green Ministers when it came to defending
            Ireland Inc, they were really “Green”

      1. dav

        I will always remember Aug 2007 the builders holidays, Loads of sites stayed closed after those 2 weeks. and yet the fundamentals were sound..

  3. goldenbrown

    this word salad: “We recover. We borrow. We invest. We stimulate. We sustain.”

    could you flesh that out a bit for me please? especially that little “We recover” part :)

    which ministerial cabinet positions will the Green’s be getting? anything that influences the country’s future economic policy and ideology atall? no, I didn’t think so. my point being this: the Greens will unlikely have any influence on the ideology and economic thinking of FFG and in their parlance, unfortunately for all of us mere mortals, Recovery = Austerity

    there won’t be any free EU money and the last time I checked there hasn’t been any major changes in the way the Conservative ideology and thinking of FFG. the Greens will not be at the controls. the only thing ye will have is a nuke button to collapse the Govt. that ye helped form (which in and of itself is a deterrent)

    for me this is all about balance of power and I don’t realistically see a proper one so I’m sorry I just don’t buy the argument that FFG+G will mean anything other than Greenwashed Austerity 2.0 for the average person despite whatever best intentions. ye’re there just to make up the voting block (and keep SF out at all costs or omg we’re all gonna die!), best of luck, nothing personal Dan.

  4. Johnny

    Dan-its starting look like you guys are not fit for government,if you can’t even make this decision ,there are a lot harder ones coming…oh like N.I,Germanys increasing dominance in the EU….Pascals side hustle he’s now openly campaigning for that side gig, talk about chutzpah!

    Leave the shorts at home for a day,wear the big boy pants,go to work and make Ireland better-or at least do your best-the irish voters have amnesia,look at you now and what its only been what a few years since….

    The reason i’m supporting you in govt is that you may expedite cannabis legislation,what you have on the books now is an insult to people who want try it for pain relief, etc.This new industry could hit all your hot buttons,I even show you how get legislation passed starting with changing the criminal code…its green and alternative energy,makes people feel good,massive revenue generator for govt.

    As regards whats in writing stop being so naive its FFG-they sell their souls and have for power so simply renegotiate it.Its a hospital pass everyone knows it but you won, least you could do is try enjoy it unless the whole purpose of running to the Greens is losing gracefully with a wave,you have managed make this win look like a loss, now thats a unique skill…keep it up and your fitness to govern will be questioned then your really doomed.

    But it cant work with half the party against it, you need made a decision and everyone fully support it,Ireland is facing some very significant budget shortfalls and decisions as a society if Germany starts issuing Euro Bonds and moving towards Federalism as many think,Brexit is going absolutely tank the UK-with France/Germany punishing them.

    Politico EU has a series on Germany finally stepping up to the plate in Europe,they certainly not waiting for you…

    https://www.politico.eu/article/what-angela-merkel-germany-wants-eu-influence/

    Ps-by the way you guys are the most depressing party ever to try support,imagine a win like that,clearly you had not as your so unprepared, it amateurish with weak party leadership and shows a lack of unity,if it goes south,it probably ill with a start like this,no one will say oh well remember the hesitancy they were a bit “green” about joining this govt,oh right yeah….so what you got lose?

    1. theo kretschmar schuldorff

      What’s wrong with the Greens all having their say before before they decide how to collectively jump?
      The debate they are having is free, healthy & real.
      Reports from the new main opposition party are that dissenting from the official position (however it is arrived at) results in bullying & intimidation for the dissenter.

      1. Johnny

        -yeah go ahead take as long as you like, if you want remain a protest vote and fringe party, if you want govern then get on with it there is power vacuum its not good with no accountability, people are dying.

        1. theo kretschmar schuldorff

          Not as long as they like. They have already decided. We will know the result by 7pm when the ballots are counted.
          Do try to keep up.

      2. bisted

        …according to Cork Cllr Lorna Bogue on the radio yesterday, the greens are guilty of bullying and intimidation, leading to suspension for dissention…well one ‘senior’ member anyway…

        1. bisted

          …given your track record for consistently backing the losing side Dan…I’m surprised the party haven’t tried to muzzle you like they did with Lorna…

  5. GiggidyGoo

    I’m sure Dan will tell us all the real reason why the Greens pulled the plug on the last FF Green Government – and it wasn’t anything to do with the economy.

    1. theo kretschmar schuldorff

      Em, Brian Cowen tried to appoint lots of new ministers and stuffed loads of boards weeks in advance of an anticipated dissolution of the Dail. Greens objected to the stroke and that was it for the coalition.
      Whats your point?

      1. Johnny

        -now giddy I would be or you would be the first to ask people stop associating the IRA/ Ra with SF-the green party today should not constantly revisit that-the electorate spoke.
        -can we get back Mark Ruffalo….like seriously WTF-was Gabriel Byrne not available to you know ‘connect’ with the younger more progressive greens:)

        1. theo kretschmar schuldorff

          They have Ruffalo, you’ve got Fionnula Flanagan.. so what?
          If you’re outgunned by the caliber of your opponent’s celebrity backer, go into the office upstairs and have them procure a fancier celeb.

          1. Johnny

            A house divided…

            “The Greens find themselves backed in a corner, in part of course due to an extraordinary enthusiasm for government among leading figures like Eamon Ryan that is simply not shared by a substantial minority of members and voters”

            McHugh’s conclusion is not positive.

            “I think if we go into government a lot of the membership will leave. I think a lot of younger members won’t campaign for TDs in the future. Because it’s not just this abstract “Oh the poor people who will never have secure housing”… For a lot of us in the party, we will never have secure housing. We will never have pensioned jobs. We might never have kids because of financial instability, because of the climate.”

            Ruffalo was a stunt a stroke-dreadful leadership decision,so out off touch with even his own party-oh look over there is that the actor from Dark Waters-thats a eco movie so he must be alright,….wow

            link above-i work in ‘green’ energy,would love support them Ryan just doesn’t get it.

      2. GiggidyGoo

        Theo, that’s not the reason given by the Greens.

        https://web.archive.org/web/20110126182801/http://www.greenparty.ie/en/news/latest_news/green_tds_and_senators_leave_government

        From that according to John Gormley…
        “For a very long time we in the Green Party have stood back in the hope that Fianna F�il could resolve persistent doubts about their party leadership. A definitive resolution of this has not yet been possible. And our patience has reached an end”

        That kind of history of course doesn’t appear publicly of the current Green Party website

        1. Cian

          The first paragraph from the announcement you link (23 January 2011) says:
          On November 22 last we said that an election should be held early this year because of the events surrounding the IMF bailout. On that occasion we identified four key priorities, which needed to be addressed before this election could take place. These were:
          – concluding financial arrangements with the EU/IMF;
          – producing a four-year economic plan;
          – passing Budget 2011; and
          – passing the Finance Bill to give effect to that Budget.

          1. GiggidyGoo

            And the reason that they actually brought the government to an end was…? Fairly clear from what was written in Gormley’s speech that it was FFs failure to deal with FFs leadership – ‘Our patience has reached an end’. It took that to end the government. The patience didn’t end before it somehow, even though there were a lot more important things than FFs leadership at hand that should have brought it to and end. No wonder the history is no longer available publicly on their website.

  6. Johnny

    -now giddy I would be or you would be the first to ask people stop associating the IRA/ Ra with SF-the green party today should not constantly revisit that-the electorate spoke.
    -can we get back Mark Ruffalo….like seriously WTF-was Gabriel Byrne not available to you know ‘connect’ with the younger more progressive greens:)

  7. Zaccone

    Essentially the Greens are damned if they do (they’ll likely get hit hard in the next election) and damned if they don’t (the planet can’t wait 5 years for _possible_ climate change action).

    But at the core of it if you’re in politics to make a difference then you have to go into government when given a good opportunity. The Greens won’t get their entire agenda in this government, but if they stay out they’ll achieve absolutely none of it. And theres no guarantee that they’ll get into a government in the next election either, so it might not be 5 years waiting it could be 10, or 20…

    For a more traditional political party there might be more to the argument of staying out to achieve some long term party growth. But given the Greens #1 reason to exist is fighting climate change, and the urgency of that cause, theres absolutely no way they can argue that.

    If Green parties all over the planet decide to wait 5 or 10 years in opposition to grow their parties then efforts to mitigate climate change are doomed. Think global, act local and all that.

  8. realPolithicks

    The eagerness of small “left wing” parties in Ireland to prop up right wing parties in government is astonishing.

      1. Vanessanelle

        Was just about to mention that

        In fairness Dan is the authority on Coalition Governments
        Historically anyway
        But everything repeats in our Political System anyway
        So it should be essential reading for any BYT considering a political career

  9. Gringo

    The problem with the Greens is that they propped up what was truly the worse FF cabinet of all time. Now they want to make a Taoiseach out of Meeholl . You really have to feel sorry for them, kinda.

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