Coalition with Greens: delegates' viewsThe Greens may not have been on the political menu at the Fine Gael conference at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet at the weekend, but that did not stop the party faithful from dishing up different responses on a possible coalition with the smaller party.
Party members who attended the debate on agriculture were far from uniform in their views on whether or not the party could, would or should include the Greens in an alternative coalition option with Labour.
Many of those in attendance were local party stalwarts from Cork North-West, arguably the most conservative constituency in the State given its voting pattern in recent referendums. But even these delegates were far from agreed on forging an alliance with the Greens.
Former county councillor Frank Metcalfe, from Ovens, said he hoped that Fine Gael could do without the Greens, but the party would "deal with them" if it had to.
Fellow former councillor Billy Biggane, from Charleville, also in Cork North-West, was more forthright in his opposition, saying that he believed any alliance with the Green Party would actually cost Fine Gael votes in rural areas. "A lot of people in the party would not favour any deal with the Greens. People in farming are afraid of the Greens over their policies on live cattle exports and pollution. I could see it costing Fine Gael votes among the farming community," he warned.
Local Millstreet county councillor Noel Buckley pointed out that the Greens had worked well when they had been in government in other European countries. He said that he saw no reason why they could not work in government with Fine Gael.
He added: "They tend to drop some of the more radical proposals they have while in opposition, and obviously, as the smallest party in any deal here, they would have to be prepared to compromise."
Former county councillor Timmy Collins, from Meelin near Newmarket, was another delegate who did not foresee any major problem with having the Greens as possible coalition partners. He pointed out that the Irish Greens were a lot less radical than some of their European counterparts, while they also had "some very good TDs".
But Tim Cowhig, from Bandon in Cork South-West, said that bringing the Greens on board would damage Fine Gael's chances of getting back into government simply because it would make for a more diverse - and "consequently less electable" - option.
"Fine Gael and Labour should be able to do it. We need a strong swing, and it depends on how well we get our message across and sell that alternative, but bringing the Greens on board means even greater diversity and makes it a less attractive option for people."
However, Maurice Curtin, from Ballintemple in Cork South-Central, saw no problem with having the Greens in a coalition and pointed to previous pacts Fine Gael had made with Labour and Democratic Left which others had predicted would not work.
"People said Garret FitzGerald would not be able to do a deal with Labour or that John Bruton could not work with Democratic Left, and both those governments worked. Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens are parties with social consciences - I don't see a problem."
Cllr Kevin Murphy, from Kinsale in Cork South-West, said that he strongly disagreed with the Green Party's opposition to once-off rural housing. However, while he favoured a much more flexible approach to planning, he did not discount the possibility of going into government with them.
He added: "Any deal would be on the basis of the seats they win, and they would have to recognise that and modify their proposals in negotiations. That said, I'd hope we would win back enough seats, along with Labour and certain Independents, to be able to do without them."
