The Munster MEP, Mr Pat Cox, had no knowledge of plans by Mr Michael McDowell to involve him in a revamped Progressive Democrats party, his spokeswoman has said. Nor had he any interest in the plan, his spokeswoman said yesterday.
The Progressive Democrats rejected a proposal from Mr McDowell to rename the party and appoint him president with significant powers in return for his membership. He wanted the PDs to be renamed the Radical Party and to introduce "political flexibility", establishing sister parties to contest elections.
He named the former PD deputy Mr Cox, now a Munster MEP, and Ms Marion Harkin, who stood as an Independent candidate in the Connacht/Ulster constituency in the last European election, as heading possible partnerships.
The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, said yesterday the discussions with Mr McDowell were private and she regretted that the details had come into the public domain. "They don't relate to the Government and I don't wish to discuss them," she said on RTE television.
Speaking about the inclusion of Mr Cox's name in Mr McDowell's document, his spokeswoman said as far as he was concerned it had nothing to do with him.
"He didn't know anything of his own involvement, somebody told him that they were talking to Mr McDowell and he was formulating plans. He has no interest."
Ms Harkin said she thought Mr McDowell's proposals sounded interesting and she would like to hear more about them.
"However I've never spoken to Michael McDowell in my life and he's never discussed this with me." She said she might be interested in exploring it further, but without giving any commitment.
"Looking at the context, perhaps as a party the PDs do need nationwide representation and that it would be a way to gain a foothold rather than going at individual level . . . Now I'm not saying I would be interested in talking to the PDs. . . . But from the point of view of exploring, I wouldn't shoot it down."
Asked what might happen now in relation to Mr McDowell's rejoining, the party chairman, Mr John Minihan, who had been the PD representative in negotiations, said it was a matter for Mr McDowell, "as it is for anyone who wants to join the PDs".
"We have room for people with the talents of Michael McDowell. We would welcome him back into the party, working within the structures of our party to effectively bring forward PD policies and initiatives."
It is understood that when the negotiations, which began during the summer, ran into difficulties Mr McDowell had asked if he could make his case to the PDs' general council, the governing body of the party, but this request was refused.
The negotiations broke down two weeks ago, but by that time matters had moved on considerably from the original proposal document. The PDs had returned with modified proposals which indicated the party was willing to appoint Mr McDowell as party president with "certain responsibilities".
However, it is understood it was never their intention to allow him to undermine any of the party's decision-making bodies but rather to allow him to become part of those structures.
Last Wednesday night a special meeting unanimously ruled out Mr McDowell's proposals, believing they were "outrageous". There had been some contact since then but it was believed that any agreement was "slipping away" and was yesterday acknowledged to be gone.
The party was up against the deadline of their conference in Cork being held in two weeks' time, as well as the party constitution on rule changes.
Mr McDowell, who was on official business in Spain, was not available for comment yesterday.