CRUCIAL MEETINGS to discuss the future of the Progressive Democrats will take place tomorrow as speculation intensifies that the party may be about to dissolve, with many members joining Fianna Fáil.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen denied any "formal" talks were taking place but accepted the possibility of informal contacts between individuals.
The PD leader, Senator Ciarán Cannon, has expressed doubts about the prospect of a merger between the two parties.
The PD parliamentary party of two TDs and two senators is due to meet tomorrow at an undisclosed location. Originally scheduled for last Wednesday, the meeting was postponed as a mark of respect after a close friend of Galway West TD Noel Grealish died suddenly.
Mr Grealish is widely expected to join Fianna Fáil in the near future. Tomorrow evening also, at Newbridge, Co Kildare, the PD parliamentarians are due to meet the party's councillors.
This aggregate gathering of elected representatives is expected to take place after the parliamentary party meeting.
How the councillors react to reports of a proposed merger with Fianna Fáil is seen as critical to the future direction of the PDs.
The party has been plunged into crisis by the long-drawn-out speculation over Mr Grealish's future.
The Galway West TD was again unavailable for comment but is believed to be delaying his resignation in the hope of bringing other party members with him.
Minister for Health and former party leader Mary Harney is not expected to join Fianna Fáil. If the party is dissolved she is more likely to become an Independent. It is believed Senator Cannon might be persuaded to join Fine Gael rather than Fianna Fáil.
Senator Fiona O'Malley is said to be on good terms politically with the Taoiseach but her future plans are not known.
In a statement seeking to play down reports about the likely future of his party, Senator Cannon said yesterday: "There is no deal done to merge with Fianna Fáil or any other party for that matter. There is no draft outline of any agrement.
"There have been approaches made by other parties to our elected representatives on an individual basis, which is no secret.
"However, these have never developed to a point where a critical mass of defections would precipitate a merger and I seriously doubt if that could ever occur."
Fianna Fáil begins a two-day "think-in" in Galway today but party sources strongly denied there were any plans to announce Mr Grealish as a new member at the conference.
Asked to comment on reported informal negotiations with the PDs, involving Fianna Fáil Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, the Taoiseach said: "There are no formal talks taking place whatsoever.
"As you know Noel Dempsey and Noel Grealish have been friends and colleagues for a number of years but I want to make it clear that these matters that are internal to the Progressive Democrats in the first instance and don't apply to our party until they come to their own decisions as to what they wish to do in respect of their own party's deliberations."
