Coalition choices:The Progressive Democrats will not contemplate becoming part of the alternative rainbow coalition after the election, Minister for Health Mary Harney said yesterday.
She said while the PDs' position has always been one of openness towards a Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael-led government, the reality was that Fine Gael could only be in government with the Labour Party, the Greens and somebody else after this election.
"And I do not see the Progressive Democrats having any role to play in that kind of government . . . I don't think that government could have a coherent approach to budget and to economic management of the country."
She said the choice facing the electorate was a choice between the current Government or one with a combination of parties including Fine Gael, Labour, the Greens and others.
"I think that alternative government would not create the stable conditions that we require in Ireland over the next number of years.
"And I believe, with three days to go to polling, I think the public will focus on that and above all else they will want stability, they'll want to make sure that our economic success . . . is not thrown away in this election."
Furthermore, she said opinion polls were now showing the current Government would be returned to power.
"The opinion polls this weekend and the feeling that I'm getting even in advance of those polls clearly indicate to me that there will be a return of the current Government. That has been my view for quite some time . . . I hadn't been witnessing a mood for change, and I think as the undecideds make up their minds that is very clear in what we are now witnessing in opinion polls . . . "
She said in the event of the current Government being returned, she wanted to continue being Minister for Health.
"I will give it everything I have over the next five years to establish in Ireland by the time of the next election the world-class health system that we've set out to put in place here. And I think it is achievable over a five-year period."
Ms Harney was speaking at a press conference in Dublin where she outlined her party's plans, if in government, to continue with the health service reform programme.
She promised nobody would wait more than six hours in A&E to be admitted to hospital, and insisted there had already been improvements of up to 60 per cent in waiting times at most A&E units.
She said the main challenges now were in A&E units in cities such as Dublin, Cork and Galway.