Clare’s Green party representative insists the new Programme for Government will deliver for rural areas.
The parliamentary parties of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens endorsed the programme late last night and it will now be sent out to all party members to see if they’ll support it.
Elected representatives from all three parties have given it their backing, but that feeling is not unanimous.
The process of selling the programme to members of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens began in earnest today.
The respective parliamentary parties gave the go-ahead to the document last night, ahead of member votes over the next week and a half.
There were a number of compromises from all parties.
Fine Gael wanted an increase in the state pension age, with it instead being deferred and sent for a commission to review, while the Occupied Territories Bill sought by the Green Party was also not included.
But Clare’s Fine Gael TD Joe Carey believes it will deliver for this county and the midwest.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD claims it “would be a betrayal of our country” if his party didn’t provide a stable Government.
Cathal Crowe is also backing the deal, but at least three Clare Fianna Fáil Councillors, Alan O’Callaghan, PJ Kelly and Tony O’Brien, are among a group of fifty Councillors nationwide who are against it.
But Meelick TD Cathal Crowe believes that delivering stability is crucial.
Some Green members have expressed unease at the agreement, and this morning prominent party member Saoirse McHugh became the most high profile figure so far to say she’ll vote against it.
Three TDs abstained when their parliamentary party approved the agreement last night, but Clare’s Green Party Councillor is confident the deal will get over the line.
Inagh Councillor Róisín Garvey says she will back the deal.
Meanwhile, Clare’s Sinn Féin TD insists the 140-page document is a bad deal for workers and families, saying it lacks detail on affordable housing and health.
Violet Ann Wynne has accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil of desperately trying to hold onto power, excluding her party.
The Kilrush TD also says the programme for government is vague.
Michael Glynn, Clare FM, first for local news.
