By Eoghan Dockrell
The public predominately perceive the Green party as advocates of the environment and champions of ‘green’ energy. This is irrefutably evident when you look at the composition of the current government. For instance, the Department of Energy and the Department of the Environment are both run by green party TDs. This squeaky clean green image has been adopted by MEP Green candidate Deirdre De Burca. Her campaign vehicle is an electric 'plug-in’ ford transit. As another MEP candidate, Dan Boyle, pointed out, the Greens are financing their campaigns "on a shoe-string" budget, perhaps aiming to protect the countryside from an excess amount of tree-killing, litter-prone posters?
Ok, so the electorate acknowledge that thee Green Party are environment and energy nuts, but are they just one trick ponies? One dimensional politicians in a three dimensional world?
The public predominately perceive the Green party as advocates of the environment and champions of ‘green’ energy. This is irrefutably evident when you look at the composition of the current government. For instance, the Department of Energy and the Department of the Environment are both run by green party TDs. This squeaky clean green image has been adopted by MEP Green candidate Deirdre De Burca. Her campaign vehicle is an electric 'plug-in’ ford transit. As another MEP candidate, Dan Boyle, pointed out, the Greens are financing their campaigns "on a shoe-string" budget, perhaps aiming to protect the countryside from an excess amount of tree-killing, litter-prone posters?Ok, so the electorate acknowledge that thee Green Party are environment and energy nuts, but are they just one trick ponies? One dimensional politicians in a three dimensional world?
No, there is another unconquered area where the Greens are laying claim to. It’s technology. This would seem like a natural progression given the origins of the Green Party. Remember, they are relatively new on the political scene. They want to confront challenges of the 21st Century. Yes, alternative energy sources and friendly environmental policies, but they need other hip, contemporary pet projects. Let the ‘big three’ deal with the ‘big’ issues. Realistically, what is the likelihood of the Green’s leading a future government? So accordingly, they will never have to worry about being handed the justice, finance…etc portfolios.
The Greens give the impression that they were founded by a well-healed south-side residents club in the drawing room of some Dalkey home; the champagne sipping, cavalier nibbling, latté liberal types who live in the world of Ross-O’Carroll Kelly. Thus it is fitting that they are at the vanguard of modern politics in terms of the ‘vogue’ policies they pursue. Let Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael stick with their unsavoury civil war rhetoric and Labour can stay chained to the working class, because ultimately it’s the Greens who represent modern, sophisticated Ireland.
Senator De Burca, responding to a question on why she is running in Dublin, instead of the East constituency said "there’s strong Green support in this region". Its true, polls show the greens do better in urban areas. Perhaps rural communities view the Greens with suspicion. Wind turbines are unsightly structures that spoil the countryside; putting excessive environmental regulations on already struggling farmers is poor form; forcing farmers to grow organic-only products is distasteful. The lesson: Greens cannot be too mean in their quest for a cleaner Ireland. Compromise is crucial.
Those who have been receiving campaign updates on election mailing lists notice the disproportionate amount of mail streaming in from the Green machine. Every move is monitored, then sufficiently spun into a positive story and finally, shot through cyberspace and into the reporter’s mailbox. A fortnight ago, a select number of reporters were invited on a Dáil tour where the lucky guests would discuss "new technologies and online communications" with Green Party members. The evening ended with a quiet pint in the Dáil bar.
The Greens give the impression that they were founded by a well-healed south-side residents club in the drawing room of some Dalkey home; the champagne sipping, cavalier nibbling, latté liberal types who live in the world of Ross-O’Carroll Kelly. Thus it is fitting that they are at the vanguard of modern politics in terms of the ‘vogue’ policies they pursue. Let Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael stick with their unsavoury civil war rhetoric and Labour can stay chained to the working class, because ultimately it’s the Greens who represent modern, sophisticated Ireland.
Senator De Burca, responding to a question on why she is running in Dublin, instead of the East constituency said "there’s strong Green support in this region". Its true, polls show the greens do better in urban areas. Perhaps rural communities view the Greens with suspicion. Wind turbines are unsightly structures that spoil the countryside; putting excessive environmental regulations on already struggling farmers is poor form; forcing farmers to grow organic-only products is distasteful. The lesson: Greens cannot be too mean in their quest for a cleaner Ireland. Compromise is crucial.
Those who have been receiving campaign updates on election mailing lists notice the disproportionate amount of mail streaming in from the Green machine. Every move is monitored, then sufficiently spun into a positive story and finally, shot through cyberspace and into the reporter’s mailbox. A fortnight ago, a select number of reporters were invited on a Dáil tour where the lucky guests would discuss "new technologies and online communications" with Green Party members. The evening ended with a quiet pint in the Dáil bar.
The Greens' popularity has decreased with their attachment to Fianna Fail. But this is only temporary; a bump in the road map of the Green Party. As long as they can continue to be innovative and target new areas like technology, they will be viable as a political entity. MEP candidates, like Deirdre de Burca ought to take pride in preaching the green agenda. The sceptics should not underestimate the ingenuity of the Green Machine!
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