'Constant' conflict within coalition over climate policies, says Green leader O'Gorman
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Conflict over climate change has always existed within the coalition government, Roderic O'Gorman has claimed, as the government leaders step up efforts to differentiate themselves ahead of the general election.
The Green Party leader said there was "conflict every step of the way" in terms of introducing measures to address climate change.
Keeping climate on the agenda, supporting retrofitting, and making public transport more affordable are all changes that were brought about because of the Green Party, according to Mr O'Gorman.
"We are now climate leaders and that is the difference the Green Party being in government for the last four-and-a-half years has made," Mr O'Gorman said.
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If the Greens are not in government following the election then there will not be a strong focus on climate targets. Mr O'Gorman has said.
While the conflict was "constant" within the coalition, it was a good government that has worked well, he said the Green Party would not rule out going into government with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil again.
This would be on the basis of an agreed programme for government that has strong Green Party policies woven throughout.
He also said that while he and the Department of Children awaits information from Tusla regarding missing child Kyran Durnin, which is expected this week, he said that he is not aware of any similar cases.
The eight-year-old, who was reported missing in August, is presumed dead and the case was upgraded to murder earlier this month. There has been no verified sightings of him for up to two years.
Noting that 53 children known to State services have died in the past three years, Mr O'Gorman did not respond when it was put to him that he, as minister, had failed these children.
He said Tusla is the final safety net for vulnerable children in our society and is the organisation that deals with the most vulnerable children, and in his time as minister, he has sought to resource Tusla in terms of its budget and staff to allow it to carry out its work.