General election aims: The Green Party's major general election objective is to ensure that the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrat Government does not return to power, party delegates agreed unanimously.
Meanwhile, the Green delegates, who met in the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny, rejected a call led by the party's deputy leader, Cllr Mary White that the party should accept corporate donations.
Last year, the Greens, said its chairman, Dublin South East TD John Gormley, decided not to enter any pre-election pact. "I believe that that was a very wise decision. It makes sense to keep our options open."
However, the motion to set the removal of the present Government as the main objective for the Greens "shows that while we are not closing any doors, there are doors that we don't want to go through.
"There are certain parties that need to spend time in opposition, who need to be punished.
"They are the 'Podge and Rodge' of Irish politics. They are corrupt and arrogant," he declared.
Wicklow delegate, Niall Byrne said FF and the PDs had looked after their "fat cat cronies" since they were elected in 1997. "Profits have soared, workers have suffered," he said.
During a vibrant debate on corporate funding, Cllr Mary White said many Greens saw it as "grubby deals in back room bars", but money is necessary to fight elections.
The party should never accept money from "builders, developers and land speculators", but the same restrictions should not apply to ethical industries - subject to strong safeguards.
Opponents should not just say they do not want business funding, she said, "they must also come up with alternatives. Otherwise, we will never be a force in Irish politics".
However, Dublin Mid-West TD, Paul Gogarty said he won the Greens' first seat in a three-seat constituency "which has suffered much from planning corporation" without receiving any corporate funding.
"Once you dip your toe into the pigsty, no matter how principled you are, you are in the shit. Our opponents are all dying for us to say that we will take corporate funding," said the TD.
Cllr Brian Meaney from Clare said the Greens should accept funds from green industries that share the party's agenda.
"I am sick and tired of doing it on a shoe-string." Wicklow councillor, Deirdre de Burca said voters who have supported the Greens in the past have done so because the party "is seen to be one with sound, ethical values".
Cllr Bronwen Maher from Dublin North Central said the Greens should be attacking the sharp rise in election spending by other parties rather than trying to copy them.
Supporting the acceptance of limited corporate funding, Cllr David Healy from Dublin North East said the Greens share the same agenda as wind turbine companies, and other green energy firms.
Dublin South Central delegate, Martin Hogan, who also supported the motion, said the Greens are "running out of time" to persuade the public that they must change their lifestyles agenda.
Cllr Niall Ó Brolcháin from Galway West said the Greens "can't be a little bit pregnant. Airtricity is a great firm, but it is linked to National Toll Roads."
Cork South Central TD, Dan Boyle said the Greens could be attacked subsequently in government for accepting any corporate funds when it would be drafting legislation.
Former MEP, Patricia McKenna said she had got elected in 1994 and 1999 when she spent small sums, but she had not got elected in 2004 when she "spent loads of money trying to match the other parties".
