Many Fianna Fáil members were unhappy with the manner in which the Progressive Democrats were dictating the Government's agenda, Mr Martin Ferris (SF, Kerry North) claimed.
"There is a lot of concern among the Fianna Fáil grassroots that they will have to pay the price for the right-wing policies which they believe originate with the PDs." Mr Ferris accused the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, of being among the Fianna Fáil Ministers responsible for its dominance by the PDs. "What would Fianna Fáil people such as Todd Andrews think of being in power with a party whose leader has stated that the single most important issue - indeed one that might force her to pull out of Government - is the sale of State enterprises." Mr Ferris was speaking during the resumed debate on the Green Party's motion of no confidence in Mr Cullen.
Defending Mr Cullen, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív, said he had introduced two major policy initiatives relating to balanced spatial development adopted. "They are the National Spatial Strategy and the rural housing guidelines. I welcome both of these initiatives."
He accused the Green Party of not being concerned about people at times. Instead, the party's interest was in flowers and plants, he said.
Mr Paul Gogarty (Green Party, Dublin Mid West) said his colleagues had highlighted the deterioration of the natural and built environment. "The fact is that Ireland is worst in the EU league as regards non-compliance with the Kyoto limits on greenhouse gases as well as non-compliance with EU laws on water quality."
Dublin, said Mr Gogarty, was now "an unsustainable car-based doughnut", stretching out far more than other cities of comparable size.
"There is not enough population density in the inner city and too much development around the ring. Land is being gobbled up by speculators while the Minister allows the ring to grow in Kildare, Meath, Louth and Wicklow", Mr Gogarty said.
The Government defeated the no confidence motion by 63 votes to 50.
