A DECISION to begin winding up the Progressive Democrats at next Saturday's special meeting of the party could become an issue for Minister for Health Mary Harney in regard to her future in the Cabinet, it was conceded yesterday.
A Government spokesman said the meeting this weekend could become a matter for both Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Ms Harney, depending on its outcome.
"Clearly the situation will change depending on what happens at the weekend," said the spokesman.
The party's membership meets in Mullingar, Co Westmeath next Saturday to debate the future of the party.
Ms Harney, a founding member, will tell the meeting that it has no viable future.
The spokesman was responding to questions arising from the implications of a decision to wind up the party on Ms Harney's future in the Government.
Expanding on his comments later, the spokesman said: "It is a matter for the PDs firstly, and if the ground changes then it's a matter for the Taoiseach and for Ms Harney."
Separately, the Social Welfare Bill published yesterday did not include expected legislative changes to allow the lowering of doctors' fees for over-70s medical cards.
The changes in the fee structure - with a standard capitation rate of €290 - will now be included in a specific Bill which will be published "soon", the Government spokesman said.
The original intention had been to include the new fees in yesterday's Bill, which give effect to changes announced in the Budget.
The spokesman said that after an analysis of the issues involved, it was decided that it would be more appropriate to have a separate Bill.
A number of changes had to be made, he said, including the repeal of the 2001 Act which introduced the over-70s cards, the actual withdrawal of the medical cards and new provisions to allow for the new fee structure.
Speaking on the Bill yesterday, Minister for Social Affairs Mary Hanafin said an extra €2.6 billion would be allocated to social welfare in 2009, bringing the total spend to over €19.5 billion, and that a million recipients would receive increases.
"The fact that we are planning for a greatly increased number of people seeking support while signing on the Live Register, means that our resources are being stretched even further in order to benefit more and more people.
"Despite this, the Government has provided for increases to well over one million recipients," she said.
Labour spokeswoman on social and family affairs Róisín Shortall said the Bill was an attack on children, the unemployed and people will illnesses or disabilities.
"This Bill is perhaps the meanest such Bill we have seen in many years, making it harder to qualify for job seekers' benefit payment at a time when unemployment is soaring and when more families are coming to rely on these very payments," she said.
