Tensions over Greens’ clout with FF
HOSTILITY is growing within Fianna Fáil, prior to any postelection coalition, over the excessive influence the Greens are already having on the party’s policies.
Party leader Micheál Martin has expressed his determination to build a coalition incorporating Fianna Fáil, Labour and the Green Party.
However, unease is already growing within Mr Martin’s party ranks over the Greens’ influence on Fianna Fáil policy.
One source said: ‘Already they are ruling the roost when it comes to their Green agenda. Micheál is in thrall to them.’
Another TD warned: ‘Part of the problem is some of us suspect he is a closet Green. With all the vegetarian food he’s more like one of them than one of us.’
Backbenchers are especially concerned that ‘these Greens are deciding what we should think. If we become too associated with them, we will lose votes and we will lose seats’.
A senior figure warned: ‘The Greens are trouble in rural Ireland; they are nearly as unpopular as Ross, if that is possible. Never mind Josepha Madigan; they will be looking to ban hare coursing up front.’
One source said: ‘Our natural voters are furious with their daft ideas on car sharing. The idea on releasing wolves was even worse. I can tell you sheep and cattle farmers were not too happy with hordes of wolves running around the country.’
Tensions with the Greens surged last week when FF Senators were told to do a U-turn on the Wildlife Amendment Bill and back a series of Green-friendly amendments, which were tabled by Independent Senators Alice Mary Higgins and Lynne Ruane during the Report stages of the Bill.
However one FF Seanad source said: ‘We are not accepting any diktats from HQ to vote for Green policies we disagree with.’