Boyle told to stop 'irresponsible tweets'

GREEN PARTY chairman Senator Dan Boyle must stop his “irresponsible” tweeting about political issues, a senior Fianna Fáil backbencher close to Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said.

Limerick West TD John Cregan described Mr Boyle’s postings on the Twitter website as “frustrating” and recommended he work through any problems with Government policy within the confines of his parliamentary party.

“When policy differences arise between Coalition partners, as they always will, when such issues arise Fianna Fáil backbenchers bring their issues to our parliamentary party and ask our Ministers to effect change at Cabinet level,” Mr Cregan said.

“On the other hand, when the Green Party appears to have differences with Fianna Fáil policies then Dan Boyle uses a different avenue, he goes public and tweets. That’s rather frustrating for Fianna Fáil backbenchers, who are acting responsibly and doing their level best to keep a good relationship with their Coalition partners.”

Mr Cregan said Fianna Fáil TDs operated in a responsible fashion. He respected Mr Boyle as the Green Party’s chairman and financial spokesman and did not think he was an irresponsible person, but his tweets could be irresponsible.

However, Mr Boyle said he had no intention of giving up his twitter account. “I’m not in Fianna Fáil. Different style, different party, different culture. I prefer to engage with people rather than do things behind closed doors,” he said.

A spokesman for the Greens in Government confirmed Mr Boyle’s tweet on pension cuts was official party policy at this week’s post-Cabinet briefing.

Mr Boyle had tweeted: “Talk of State pension cut is getting out of hand. I’m not expecting such a proposal and if made the Green Party would not support it.”

This was in response to the controversy sparked by Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív’s comment that nothing could be ruled out in relation to social welfare changes.

Mr Boyle’s most famous tweet was sent after the Green Party supported a Dáil motion of confidence in the then minister for defence Willie O’Dea in February.

Mr Boyle tweeted that he was not happy with what had happened, adding: “Believe we bounced into supporting motion.” Mr O’Dea subsequently resigned.