The former Progressive Democrats TD Mr Michael McDowell has said that he will leave politics next March, when his membership of the party expires. A member of the panel on last night's Questions and Answers programme on RTE, he said the departure from politics would be "painful" but he would have the strongest sentiments of goodwill for his colleagues in the Progressive Democrats.
Mr McDowell has been at variance with the party leader and Tanaiste, Ms Harney, over the Government's approach to the amendment on Cabinet confidentiality and on the decision to support Prof Mary McAleese as a candidate for the Presidency. However, his decision to leave the party was taken before either of those controversies arose.