An analysis of what the role of the Progressive Democrats' deputy leader and president entails.
Deputy leader
The position is largely ill-defined, and is in essence in the gift of the party leader who decides the exact powers the deputy leader gets to wield.
The PD constitution states: "The party leader may appoint a deputy leader to whom various duties or responsibilities may be assigned. In the event that the party leader dies, resigns or the office becomes vacant for any reason prior to the election of a new leader, the deputy leader shall assume the functions of party leader until such time as a new party leader is formally elected."
The position, previously held by Mary Harney before she became PD leader, has been vacant since 1994. The last deputy leader was Pat Cox, who was appointed by Ms Harney in 1993 when she beat him in the leadership vote. He resigned the following year.
Party president
This is a position created for, and largely defined by, Michael McDowell, to entice the then attorney general back into the party in early 2002.
The position is a powerful one, second only to the party leader, and involves a wide range of "back room" and policy functions.
It also places the holder in a key role in the run-up to the general election. The party president is appointed by the party leader and is an "ex-officio" member of the national executive and the general council of the Progressive Democrats.
According to the party's constitution, the party president is responsible for the "development and expansion of the party into a national political movement" and "the renewal and expansion of the party's organisation and membership".
More importantly in terms of power and responsibility, the party president is also responsible for the day to day management of staff in party headquarters. The single most important role for the party president, especially in an election year, is responsibility for "policy development" and overseeing the preparation of a draft manifesto, in conjunction with the parliamentary party.
The only person to have held this position to date is Michael McDowell.
LIAM REID