Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Referendum

'No position' for Green Party on Fiscal Treaty referendum

Support for or against the Treaty fell short of the two-thirds the Greens require to adopt a stance on the referendum.

THE GREEN PARTY has announced that it will not be adopting a position on the forthcoming Fiscal Treaty referendum following a vote among its membership at the party’s annual convention.

Of the party members who voted this weekend, 62 per cent voted in favour of supporting the treaty.

However, the vote falls short of the two-thirds majority the party requires for adopting a stance on the issue.

Addressing delegates at the convention in Kilkenny, party leader Eamon Ryan said that people have become “frightened by the economic crisis and jaded by some jaded by some of the tired arguments that have raged around environmental debates”.

“However that tide will turn with the inevitable rise of environmental problems and with the realisation that it does provide an alternative to the current failed model of capitalism,” he added.

“We need to prepare for that turn and make sure that the Irish people have the choice of a political party which has real experience and understanding as to what this new political philosophy can bring.”

Manuel Sarrazin, member of the German parliament and German Green Party spokesperson for European Affairs spoke at the convention. Ryan called on Sarrazin to urge the Bundestag to support a deal for alleviating Ireland’s debt burden.

“It should be done not as a favour or as a special case, but in recognition that the structures of the Euro and the rule book for the ECB that were flawed from the start are still not working,” Ryan said.

Meanwhile, other issues up for discussion at the convention included engaging more women in politics, reforming local government, and the Rio+20 Summit (the UN conference on sustainable development).

“This isn’t about housekeeping” – Boyd Barrett and Burton debate Fiscal referendum >

The Fiscal Compact Referendum: What are we voting on and why? >

Translated: The Fiscal Compact rewritten in layman’s terms >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
33
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.