FF TD praises role of Greens in Coalition

FIANNA FÁIL TD Ned O’Keeffe praised the role of the Green Party in the Coalition. He said he had enjoyed his term to date in government with the party.

“I think the Greens have done well with this Government, and I think they are entitled to their fair share of legislation,” he added.

“They have put through some very difficult legislation for my Government and my party in banking, Nama and many other areas.” Mr O’Keeffe said it would be unfair if a small minority of people was attacking them.

“They have a different ideology to me, but by and large, we work well and I would look forward to this Government finishing up in . . . two years time . . . going to the country and maybe successful,” he added. He said he never had a problem meeting Minister for the Environment John Gormley.

“I have brought in a number of deputations and he has met them,’’ he said. “I would be seen as one of the awkward people, but he has always met my people.”

Mr O’Keeffe, who represents Cork East, was speaking during the debate on the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009. It was legislation which had not come in before its time, he said.

He knew of a puppy farm where the pups were kept in deplorable conditions, “cruelty, squalor, the likes never seen”.

Mr O’Keeffe accused Bord na gCon of stepping over the line in comments on the Bill.

“If Charlie Haughey, Jack Lynch or Liam Cosgrave were here, there would be a new board in Bord na gCon because of their behaviour,” he said.

He said he took a very serious view of people from State agencies telling him what to do.

Last week, Bord na gCon chief executive Adrian Neilan withdrew comments urging Fianna Fáil TDs to refuse to support the Bill, which he made on the Today with Pat Kennyprogramme.