GREEN PARTY:GREEN PARTY leader John Gormley predicted that a Fine Gael-Labour coalition would not deliver change.

“I do not believe for one moment that such a government would reverse the cuts that have had to be introduced,” he added.

“I believe we will get an election full of false promises and false hope, and that is wrong.”

Appealing for honesty in the campaign, Mr Gormley warned if that did not happen, there would be a return to the old politics that so many in the Dáil were decrying.

Mr Gormley said it was important that his party have strong representation in the next Dáil.

Extending good wishes to Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his family, and to all retiring members, he said he had always found Mr Cowen to be a decent person.

“We have had our strong disagreements, but I hope he will agree with me that there is a great regret that we did not get to some of the important legislation, including the ban on corporate donations,” he added.

He challenged the Opposition parties to say if they were prepared to break the link between big business and political parties and if they would put through a climate Bill. He said he was proud to have served in a government that produced civil partnership and rigorous planning legislation.

He was also proud of the financial reform achieved and the investment in renewable energy and insulation. And, the number of ministers of state had been reduced for the first time.