THE Progressive Democrats' Parliamentary Party, in severely diminished form, meets tomorrow with head office staff to discuss the party's future.
Though the party members believe their only option lies in government, they also think their plan to coalesce with Fianna Fail partly caused their poor performance.
Now reduced to just four seats, assuming the loss of Mr Michael McDowell's seat is confirmed, party sources insist the rout is not complete, since they are still on the brink of attaining power, albeit with half the number of seats.
But with Ms Mairin Quill and Ms Helen Keogh cast out of national politics, the morale of the Progressive Democrats is on the floor. Within days they begin negotiations with the Fianna Fail leader Mr Bertie Ahern, on the formation of a new government, but they come weakened to the bargaining table. He, however, says this will not affect his approach to their discussions.
In spite of extravagant claims that up to 15 of their 30 candidates could take Dail seats, it was apparent from the outset that the PDs would inevitably fail to retain Mr Peadar Clohessy's seat in Limerick East.
Many of their candidates were inexperienced with low profiles, but eye n as the polls recorded slippage in the party vote, the leadership continued to hope a last minute surge would transform their fate.
In the event at noon on Saturday, only one scat was really sale - that of Mr Bobby Molloy. Even the party leader, Ms Mary Harney, came under pressure.
Throughout their election campaign, on which they spent between £100,000 and £150,000, Ms Harney and her colleagues were on the defensive, constantly explaining that she was not "Scary Mary", not a neo Thatcherite bogywoman.
Hardly a single statement from the Government ranks was issued without including some attack on the Progressive Democrats; they were recognised as the Achilles heel of the would be alliance.
While they should have been on the attack, they were ducking missiles. some of which were fired from their own launchers. In spite of a belief in some quarters of the party that their project to join Fianna Fail damaged them, a number of classic own goals inflicted far greater injury.
The party's proposal to cut public service jobs by 25,000, or 40 per cent, over five years caused the worst damage, as candidates from the other parties can testify. The issue was repeatedly raised by a concerned electorate to canvassers.
Fianna Fail sources said yesterday the Progressive Democrats had been a liability to them in their quest to form a government.
Earlier, Ms Harney's assertion that water charges must be imposed proved unpopular and suggestions that young single mothers' remain with their parents after having a baby drew her into further controversy.
However, the combined effect of these proposals had nothing like the negative impact of the proposed public service jobs cuts. "Mary Harney seemed like she was on a political suicide mission this election," one source said.
It was odd that the party managed to shoot itself in the foot since it had spent the last 18 months preparing for this election.
Riding high in terms of her personal satisfaction rating, Ms Harney was joined by director of election Mr Garvan McGinley; senior adviser, Me John Murray, an economist and director of policy, Dr Maurice Roche; and Ms Sarah Morris, from her press office, in taking her message to the people.
The local transfer arrangement between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fail benefited the larger party more. "The tide was out for us," Mr Murray said.