A look back at three and a half years as the Green Party exits government.
The 2007 general election saw six Green Party TDs elected. With Fianna Fáil needing support to form a government, the Greens agreed to go into coalition as a minority government party. In return, they received two senior ministerial positions for John Gormley and Eamon Ryan and three junior ministerial positions.
The Green platform ushered in a new carbon tax, new VRT rules and a ban on stag hunting.
Worsening public finances presented challenges and exposed weaknesses in the Irish banking system. Tough decisions were now required of the Greens. As a result, their vote collapsed at both local and European elections.
In October 2009, members of the Green Party threatened to pull out of government over NAMA. The coalition survived. However, the party faced further challenges as Senator Déirdre de Búrca resigned and Trevor Sargent stepped down in controversy.
In late 2010, following the intervention of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Greens called for an early general election. However, this was averted and the Greens clung on.
Finally, today, the Greens made what they called the momentous decision to pull the plug.
An election is now inevitable and it remains to be seen how much the party's decision will cost them at the polls.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 January 2011. The reporter is Sandra Hurley.
