The Green Party has not suffered "one whit of interference" from Fianna Fáil Cabinet colleagues during its first 100 days in government, the party's leader, John Gormley, has said.
"We have got on with the implementation of the programme for government," he said, during a two-day meeting of Green Ministers, councillors and party staff in Wicklow.
"It is very clear at this stage that we got a good deal - not just in terms of Ministers, but in terms of the delivery of our policies," he told journalists.
He pointed to his decision to veto Monaghan County Council's rezoning plans - "which would have tripled the population of the county, but without providing services" - as evidence.
In addition, he said the Greens had launched a review of waste management rules and of local government, had increased litter fines, and agreed changes to taxes on future energy finds off Irish coasts.
"This time last year, we were a party in opposition, just months from an election. Now we find ourselves in government and reflecting on 100 days in office. We've seen what can be achieved in a short space of time," he said.
"Now we are looking to the coming weeks and months to ensure we can continue the good work and implement effective Green policies that really make a difference to people's lives."
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, said the Greens' first three months had "been a good news story - but not in a happy, clappy sort of way. The business of government is hard work."
Mr Gormley had had, he said, "a lot of legacy issues" to deal with since he took over the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, "but the real story for us has been a positive one", said Mr Ryan.
The party's membership has grown from 1,600 at the time it signed up for the programme for government in June to 1,935 - and the number of resignations has been less than a dozen.
"These figures show a growth in the interest in Green policies and politics, a surge we hope will carry through to local elections in 2009," said Cllr Niall Ó Brolcháin, who failed to win a seat for the party in Galway West.
Rejecting suggestions that the arrival of new members could upset the programme for government agreed with Fianna Fáil, Mr Gormley said he did not see them "as cuckoos in the nest".
"I believe that there are people now who see for the first time that we are a party of government. Previously, people said that they would like to support us, but that we could never be in government.
"The people coming in are genuine. There is enthusiasm out there. I am very heartened by the increase in membership," said Mr Gormley, who will speak in New York on Monday at a UN climate change conference.
Commenting on Fianna Fáil's decision to debate establishing in Northern Ireland, Cllr Ó Brolcháin said the Greens already operated there, and had a member of the Northern Assembly among their number.
The party will hold a special, but private, convention on Saturday October 6th in Dublin for an "open discussion" on its performance in government, Mr Gormley said.
However, he said the meeting would not then decide the party's attitude to the European Reform Treaty referendum, which Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said will take place next year.
Earlier this month, Mr Ryan indicated his personal support for the treaty, leaving open the possibility that the Greens will actively campaign for a Yes vote in the referendum - for the first time in the party's history.
"Eamon Ryan wasn't saying anything new there. We have always . . . said that the EU has been good for Ireland - particularly regarding the environment," said Mr Gormley.
