SEANAD REPORT:THE GREEN party's continuation in Government was challenged by Fine Gael Seanad leader Frances Fitzgerald.
She was responding to the decision by Green Senators Déirdre de Búrcaand Dan Boyleto abstain on the vote in the controversial Criminal Justice Bill on Tuesday night.
Ms Fitzgerald said that the House had witnessed “a pathetic display of weakness” by a party that had been demolished in the recent elections.
She added: “Last night, the Green Party did not back the Government, of which it is part. If it is not going to vote for the Government, why does the Green Party not pull out of Government?
“Why does it continue to keep Fianna Fáil and this ineffectual Government in power? The behaviour last night was a sign of weakness, not strength.
“It illustrated exactly what the Irish people know: that the Green Party in Government is not listened to by Fianna Fáil and is unable to get its core principles implemented.”
Ms Fitzgerald made her remarks on the Order of Business. Ms de Búrca and Mr Boyle were not present.
Eugene Regan(FG) accused the Green Senators of hiding behind the numbers when they abstained in the vote.
“Contrast this with the statement of Senator Dan Boyle last week on the Defamation Bill and blasphemy law, which, he said, was archaic and should be made obsolete,” he added.
“During the European election, Senator de Búrca stated that the Green Party would not be proposing this measure.
It is a blatant form of dishonest politics when people can get up and say one thing, while voting the other way.”
Jerry Buttimer(FG) said that the two Senators had fallen off the Government train.
“What sanctions is the Government side taking against them?” Mr Buttimer asked. “Have they left the Government benches or are they still part of the Government side?”
Paschal Donohoe(FG) asked if the issues raised by the Green Party would undermine the measures that Fine Gael had requested so that organised crime might be tackled.
“There was no reference to these issues, which appear to have emerged from nowhere, in either of the contributions of the two Green Party Senators during the second stage debate on the Bill,” he added.
Mr Donohoe said that “the road to Damascus and the road to a special conference” had been mentioned.
