Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Kennedy's words, "let the word go out ... to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation," remind me that the dead wood of the Cabinet is to be torched and that the torch will be passed to a new generation of Ministers for only a few weeks.

I have been critical of the Green Party, but it is being unfairly blamed for its decision to go into government in order to further its agenda. I disagree with certain aspects of it which are seriously wrong-headed, but it is mad to blame a small party for going into government. However, the Green Party lost sight of the value of trying to get into government when it subjected the country to unnecessary chaotic speculation in its desire to gazump the larger party by calling for the holding of an early general election. It appears it could gazump its partners once again by stating it will negotiate on staying another year in government in the light of the appointment of an almost entirely new Cabinet.