The Green Party's TD and senators issued the following statement concerning Déirdre de Búrca's resignation from the Parliamentary Party and from Seanad Éireann:
"We are disappointed by Deirdre's decision. We are aware that she has been unhappy with her situation for some time.
"The Parliamentary Party is totally united. We will continue to operate in a collegiate way.
"The Green Party is about implementing progressive policies and improving our society. We are serving in Government at a critical time for the country, and we have made tough choices that are vital to the peoples' interests.
"In Government we have brought about huge changes in Ireland's energy, planning and enterprise policies. In recent months we have introduced civil partnerships legislation, a levy on carbon and a major programme of political reform, including a directly elected mayor for Dublin this year.
Our policies have created tens of thousands of new, valuable jobs.
"Our position has remained the same since entering Government in June 2007.
We have come to do a job and as long as we are getting that job done we will stay. If we are not making progress, we will think again. Eight out of 10 of our members backed that view in 2007 when they endorsed the Party's entry into Government. Precisely the same number again backed that view in October 2009 when they were presented with the Renewed Programme for Government."