10th June 2003

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY STATEMENT FOLLOWING PARLIAMENTARY PARTY MEETING

Green Party TD, Ciarán Cuffe stated today that he would step aside from his Environment portfolio. This statement was made at the regular weekly Parliamentary Party meeting held this morning.

Party Leader, Trevor Sargent TD, will take Deputy Cuffe's position on the Oireachtas Environment Committee.

In accepting his offer to stand aside Green Party Leader, Trevor Sargent TD, said, "It is important to note that at all times Ciarán has been in full compliance with the law and all related regulations. This incident is a lesson for all of us in the Green Party. We are now reviewing our procedures to ensure that all public representatives and candidates can stand over any financial interests that they may have, from the point of view of compatibility with the Party's founding principles and constitution. All members of the Parliamentary Party fully accepted Ciarán’s explanation that these difficulties arose because he had inherited these shares from his late Mother.  The issues raised by this debate are much broader, and it is important that State or personal investments are evaluated on the basis of ethical issues, as well as on purely financial returns. "

"I have already been in contact with my bank, and I intend disposing of the shares in the companies that I am unhappy with without delay," concluded Deputy Cuffe.

Patricia McKenna MEP today welcomed the fact that Ciarán is stepping aside from the Environment portfolio.  "I believe that this is the correct thing to do given the lack of judgement shown in the situation."