Michael Fitzmaurice accuses Green Party of “childish antics” in time of crisis

Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice has accused the Green Party of indulging in “childish antics” which threaten the stability of the government during a time of crisis.

The Roscommon-Galway TD said that it is “astonishing” to see the Greens fighting over a Seanad seat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent days the Green Party have been embroiled in internal ructions over the decision by Lord Mayor of Dublin and party chairperson Hazel Chu to run for the Seanad.

The party executive had decided not to run a candidate for either of the vacant seats, but Ms Chu decided to run as an independent candidate anyways, after getting the personal nominations required to get on the ballot.

One of the elected representatives who voted to get Ms Chu on the ballot was deputy party leader Catherine Martin.

In comments made last week, Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice has said that people’s faith in the ability of the party to govern has “collapsed” as a result of what he described as a self-indulgent civil war.

“They are a party on political death row under a warrant signed by the voters. The leader is not in control of his party and this absence is poised to seriously impact on the stability of the entire government.”

“The Taoiseach and Tanaiste have fundamental decisions to make about the future of our country and our people. These decisions require a stable and focused government.”

“For this to happen, Minister Eamon Ryan must take control of his party. The issues facing the country are far too serious for us to entertain the childish antics of the Greens.”

“This is especially the case in rural Ireland where the willingness of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to abandon rural Ireland to the Greens for political expediency is backfiring badly.”

Green Party Leader and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has not made any public comment regarding the situation, which has prompted some bitter divisions.

A motion of confidence in Ms Chu was tabled by three Green Party senators for this evening’s parliamentary party meeting, but the Irish Times reports that this has now been withdrawn.

Instead, the three Senators, Pauline O’Reilly, Pippa Hackett, and Róisín Garvey, have asked that Ms Chu step aside from her duties as chairperson of the party while running for the Seanad.