No-show for Greens in Dáil as party faces 'Stalingrad' claims
- Published: 30 October 2008
Source : Irish Examiner
By Paul O'Brien, Political Correspondent
NO Green party members turned up for Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe's defence of the education cutbacks in the Dáil last night.
The opposition claimed the issue would be the Greens' "Stalingrad", because they are supporting the cutbacks even though improvements in education formed a key aspect of the party's manifesto.
The Greens were conspicuous by their absence as Mr O'Keeffe sparred with the opposition on the cutbacks.
Instead, fellow Fianna Fáil ministers and TDs supported Mr O'Keeffe.
Fine Gael TD Brian Hayes criticised the Greens' absence and singled out the party's education spokesman, Paul Gogarty, for criticism.
"This is the Greens' Stalingrad. They will never come back from this because they made such promises in advance of the last election."
Mr Gogarty and Green deputy leader Mary White are expected to speak on the issue when the debate resumes in the Dáil today.
