Greens are 'not giving up' on coalition

Press conference: Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said no avenue leading to the party's involvement in a future coalition …

Press conference:Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said no avenue leading to the party's involvement in a future coalition government was closed despite the breakdown of six-day talks with Fianna Fáil yesterday.

The party is still "engaged in the business of giving the country good government" and was not "giving up", said Mr Sargent.

Speaking at a press conference after the collapse of negotiations in Government Buildings, he said the party had explored every avenue during the talks, and "we had to take the decision not enough progress had been made".

However, he emphasised there was common ground and compromise on both sides.

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"We are not giving up now. The point is we have taken this as far as we can, and the ball is now in the hands of others.

"Our door is open to all who wish to discuss the formation of a sustainable and stable government."

Mr Sargent refused to give details of the difficulties both sides failed to resolve during the 40 hours of negotiations, but he said there had been some agreement on all issues as the week progressed.

However, he did say "big ticket" areas where it was not possible to reach common ground included measures to tackle climate change, education, local government reform and healthcare.

Mr Sargent made no mention of corporate donations, and refused to go into detail when asked if common ground had been reached between the parties on this issue.

He said the discussions with Fianna Fáil did not involve the role of the PDs or Independents in a future government.

"Our discussions were with Fianna Fáil and no other party. It was all to do with policy."

Green Party negotiator John Gormley TD said it became clear yesterday that an agreement was not attainable. He and the Greens' negotiation team met with Ministers Brian Cowen and Noel Dempsey after a break in talks to say they felt they could not proceed further.

"We had a short and amicable discussion, and we shook hands and wished each other well."

He added: "Actually, we got to like them, and Brian Cowen said he got to like us. It was a no-fault divorce."

Relations between the two sides had been "very cordial" and concluded on a friendly basis.

He said Mr Cowen said Fianna Fáil now understood more where the Green Party was coming from.

Asked how close the two sides had come to a deal, another party negotiator, former TD Dan Boyle, said progress had been made on items of difficulty flagged at the start of the talks. However, there was not sufficient movement on closing the gaps.

"There was movement on every day on every issue but this wasn't enough."

He said he was not going to go into details of the talks as the approach from both sides had been, "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed".

Asked if it was now up to Fianna Fáil to renew contact in an effort to try to reach agreement, Mr Sargent said: "That's not my call . . . If there are calls made we will make every effort."

He confirmed that the meeting of party members called for Sunday to vote on an agreement was now cancelled.