The future of the Progressive Democrats hangs in the balance tonight after the party’s parliamentary party concluded that it was “no longer politically viable.”
Following two crucial meetings in Co Kildare this evening where party members and representatives debated the future of the party, PD leader Senator Ciarán Cannon, told the press that a special conference will be held in October when the future of the party will be decided.
Senator Cannon, Health Minister Mary Harney, TD Noel Grealish and Senator Fiona O’Malley met earlier and came to the opinion that the “Progressive Democrats is no longer politically viable.”
They later conveyed this opinion to a larger gathering of councillors and officials at a hotel in Newbridge, Co Kildare.
Mr Cannon said the last few weeks and months had been “tumultuous” for the party and created a “huge degree of uncertainty”. The parliamentary party met privately for an hour beforehand, reportedly at the nearby residence of former senator John Dardis, where it agreed that the PDs should be wound up at a meeting of the full membership.
This evening’s meetings were originally held on foot of speculation that Galway West TD Noel Grealish was about to join Fianna Fáil.
Galway West TD Noel Grealish said yesterday he would clarify his position after the meetings. Speaking tonight, Senator Cannon said Mr Grealish will remain as a PD TD until the conference decision.
Up to 4,000 rank and file members must make the final decision on the future of the political organisation at the conference next month.
Originally scheduled for last Wednesday, the meeting was postponed as a mark of respect after a close friend of Mr Grealish died suddenly.
Speaking at the Fianna Fáil think-in in Galway this afternoon Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he did not know what internal discussions were taking place inside the PDs.
PD leader, Senator Ciarán Cannon, has previously expressed doubts about the prospect of a merger between the two parties.
Mr Cowen said this afternoon, the Progressive Democrats should be allowed the time and space to decide their political future. Asked about his knowledge of the internal discussion taking place within the PDs, Mr Cowen, speaking in Galway, said: "I genuinely don't know. That is a matter for them.
"They should be allowed to get on with their deliberations and we all have to await the outcome of that. If at any stage in the future people want to join the party there is a procedure: you apply to join. The parliamentary party will consider such an application," said Mr Cowen.
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said: "People can join the party. We're working in a vacuum at this time because there has been no progress and no decisions made on the issue. We have dealt with these decisions before."