The official announcement this week in Ireland that the Greens will form a coalition Government in the 30th Dáil with the Fianna Fail (FF), Progressive Democrats and several Independents is the latest of a series of interesting political developments in the Celtic countries.

The agreement comes after a couple of weeks of intense political negotiations between the Greens and Fianna Fail. Green Party members endorsed a proposal moved by Party Leader, Trevor Sargent, at a special conference held at the Mansion House in Dublin. After confirming the decision as the "proudest moment in my life", Mr Sargent announced that he would stand down as Leader honouring a promise he made before the elections.

It is clear that the agreement was not reached without some radical compromises by the Greens not least over their opposition to the transit of US troops through Ireland and even those in favour of going into Coalition were not satisfied with the continued use of Shannon Airport. The US however has a UN mandate in Iraq and the Irish government were able to use that to justify the current arrangements.

Notwithstanding their soul searching the Greens now feature in coalition government in Ireland. Whether these developments (taken with those in some other Celtic countries) lead on to what could be an increasingly 'Green Celtic political millennium' depends on what use is made of the levers of power they hold in the coalition.

In Ireland the real issue is how the Greens do in the two powerful Ministries they have been given (Environment and also Communications and Energy) and whether they will pay the price if they do or do not do well at the next election!.

They may yet live to regret leaping into bed with Fianna Fail, a Party still beset by scandal with a leader, Bertie Ahern, noted more for deviousness than his candour.

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

15/06/07

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