SENIOR PROGRESSIVE Democrat figures are hopeful that the party will not suffer the defection of Galway TD, Noel Grealish, despite rumours about his political future over the past week.
The speculation was intensified by a rumour that Mr Grealish would be named as a Fianna Fáil member when it holds its parliamentary party meeting in Galway next week.
However, Fianna Fáil sources have dismissed the story: "The local media down there have been adding up one and one and coming up with three. It is not on the agenda," one source said.
Last night, however, the Progressive Democrats' leader, Senator Ciarán Cannon, said he was not sure what Mr Grealish intends to do, but he believed that he would stay with the party until the local elections next year.
But he made it clear that Mr Grealish would have to deal with the situation "once and for all" at a meeting on Thursday of the Progressive Democrats' parliamentary party and national executive.
Thursday's meeting has not been called to discuss Mr Grealish's situation.
"It is the usual meeting that all parties have prior to the return of the Dáil, but there is no doubt but that his future will be discussed," Senator Cannon said.
However, he said serving councillors and prospective candidates are entitled to know "that they have the support of the parliamentary party" before they begin "a long, arduous campaign to next June".
A briefing on the party's preparations for next year's local elections will be given by PJ Long, following his discussions with serving councillors and those intending to contest under the party's flag.
Despite publicly promising to stay until the local elections, Mr Grealish has consistently attracted attention to his future by emphasising his links to Fianna Fáil, and by expressing doubts about the Progressive Democrats' viability .
Speaking to The Irish Times, Senator Cannon said: "As of now, I have no reason to believe that he intends to do anything other than to honour the commitment he made to me that he would stay until the locals."
The two, however, have not spoken for some weeks as Mr Grealish has been in Chicago for the last fortnight, while Mr Cannon was out of the country on his annual break.
Following his election last April, Senator Cannon said that next year's local elections would be "the litmus test" in deciding whether the party, which suffered serious losses in last year's general election, has a future.
Since then, the Progressive Democrats have lost three more county and town councillors.
These are Eddie Fitzpatrick from Offaly, Richie Molloy from Clonmel and Ardee, Co Louth town councillor, Leonard Hatrick, There is speculation that two more councillors may leave the party.
Morale in the party is poor, with divisions amongst some about the best course for the future, while staff numbers in the party's headquarters have fallen to just two as its income has fallen in line with its depleted number of TDs.
