FINE GAEL’S FINANCE SPOKESMAN Michael Noonan has launched a stinging attack on the Green Party for their decision to remain in government while knowing when they wish to withdraw from it.

Speaking in the Dáil yesterday as part of a discussion on the government’s application for a bailout from the European Union, Noonan denounced the fact that although the Greens said they would withdraw from power once the bailout and Budget had been finalised, they were happily remaining in power and backing Fianna Fáil’s decisions.

“It is an insult to the Constitution that the two Green Party Ministers continue to participate in Cabinet,” Noonan said. “One is either in the Cabinet or one is out. A minister cannot have a leg in both camps.”

When the Labour Party had decided to withdraw from government as Fianna Fáil’s junior partners in 1994, Noonan said, they had at least had the honour to make their decision in consultation with their government partners, and had arranged their withdrawal “with the minimum of damage.”

In the Greens’ case, Noonan added:

One would send for security if it was a Christmas party… They have no confidence in the Government but they want to hang around for another two months. They issued the daftest press statement I ever read from a Minister.

Labour’s Pat Rabbitte said the Greens’ decisions to both pull out of government, but remain in power, was “irreconcilable”, while Joan Burton suggested that Greens had perhaps “gone for take out and then come back”.

Responding to their statements and questions on the bailout, Brian Lenihan made no reference to the Green Party’s decision.