‘Risk’ of going into government is worth it, Green Party leader says

By Cate McCurry, PA

The Green Party leader has urged parties of the “progressive left” to go into government, saying it is a risk worth taking.

Roderic O’Gorman, who is now the party’s only TD, said there are consequences to going into government as a smaller party, but that it can “deliver real change”.

Mr O’Gorman, who retained the only one of the party’s 12 seats, previously said he has “no regrets” about going into a three-party government in 2020.

Speaking at the 39th European Greens Congress at the Convention Centre in Dublin, he said it is taking place during a “really difficult week” for the Green Party following the loss of 11 of his Dáil colleagues.

He said that due to his party’s actions in government, the State’s emissions dropped by 6.8 per cent last year.

Mr O’Gorman said: “We’ve moved from a climate laggard to a climate leader in Europe, and we now are, I suppose, at a real decision point in terms of the next government, because the next government could continue that work, build on the momentum that the Green Party created over the last four-and-a-half years.

“Or it could bring us backwards, and there is an opportunity for a progressive government to come from this election.

“Two progressive parties have gotten strong mandates, two parties that have set out very clear commitments on climate, and I’d strongly urge them to vigorously engage in government negotiations and make sure, whether it’s on climate, whether it’s on supporting families, that this next government is progressive.

“The alternative I flagged during the election is a government that is supported by more right-leaning, more populist independents.

“We know from what they’ve said in the last four years, we know from what they did in the previous four years, when some of them were part of the last government, that they will not deliver on climate action. They will take us backwards.

“Some of them are deeply sceptical on the measures that need to be taken.

“We are at a real kind of point of decision now here in Ireland, and as I say I would urge parties of the progressive left to take on the risk, and it is a risk, we’ve shown you know there are consequences for taking on that risk, but it is a risk worth taking if you’re in politics to deliver real change.”