<p><br /> The Irish Government has been thrown into crisis after the Greens, a junior partner in the ruling coalition, called for a general election.<br /> </p><p><br /> John Gormley, leader and environment minister, said he wanted a date for the vote to be set some time in the second half of January.<br /> </p><p><br /> The dramatic call comes less than 24 hours after Cabinet ministers agreed to ask the International Monetary Fund and Europe for a multibillion bail-out - a plea described as humiliation for the country.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Gormley said: "The past week has been a traumatic one for the Irish electorate. People feel misled and betrayed.<br /> </p><p><br /> "But we have now reached a point where the Irish people need political certainty to take them beyond the coming two months. So we believe it is time to fix a date for a general election in the second half of January 2011."<br /> </p><p><br /> The Greens say they made the decision on Saturday. The party then sent its two Cabinet ministers into an emergency meeting to sign off the IMF/EU bail-out.<br /> </p><p><br /> Taoiseach Brian Cowen was told about the move this morning and Mr Gormley said he expressed disappointment at the decision.<br /> </p>
