PDs vow to stay in government
The Progressive Democrats today faced down its critics and vowed to stay in Government to make a difference.
Losing six of its eight Dáil seats in May’s general election triggered a deep debate about the future of the junior Coalition partner.
Party founder and trustee Paul MacKay sent a letter to rank and file members claiming the party had become rudderless and was trapped in Government without a meaningful voice.
But Co Galway-based Senator Ciaran Cannon today rejected the criticism and said the party could best contribute to Irish life by remaining in the Fianna Fáil-led Coalition.
“We have always positioned ourselves as a party of government, not a debating society,” he said.
“We are clear that our best contribution to public life in Ireland is by working in Government, not introspection and self-absorption on the sidelines.”
Mr Mackey, in whose Rathgar home the PDs were founded in 1985, also called for an immediate leadership election and to sever links with other parties with a track record of low standards in high places.
However Mr Cannon countered: “Party members are determined to make it a year of renewal and to put the disappointment of 2007 behind us.
“No-one underestimates the challenges. We are determined to move forward.”
In a reference to Mr MacKay, he said: “There can be no place for negativity or solo runs in this.”
Mr MacKay was a close associate to former leader Michael McDowell, who appointed him to the Parole Board in June before he left office as Justice Minister.
The PDs currently have two TDs, Health Minister Mary Harney and Noel Grealish in the Dáil. Dun Laoghaire-based Fiona O’Malley sits in the Seanad with Mr Cannon.
Mr Cannon added: “If Mary Harney and Noel Grealish were to cross the Dáil chamber to the Opposition benches they would end up sitting on the backbenches and we would end up as a navel-gazing debating society and that is not where I want to be. If I want to lead the party, I want to lead a party that will remain in Government.”
Ms Harney has said that the PDs support the work of the Tribunal and are confident it can carry out its work with efficiency and fairness.
“The work of the Tribunal can only be hindered by theatrical politics around leaks, spin and rumours,” Mr Cannon said.
I believe we should take no part in the political point scoring about the Tribunal.
The Tribunal has not made any findings or reported its views yet on the matters currently being considered.
“There are serious issues that the people of the country are concerned about in relation to maintaining jobs, economic competitiveness and public service reform. That is what we entered Government for and we support Mary Harney fully in Government pursuing these urgent priorities.
