A key member of the Progressive Democrats has called on the party to either pull out of Government as the first step in a revival strategy or else dissolve itself forthwith, instead of continuing to drift "aimlessly and rudderless."
The call has come from party trustee and one of its four founders, Paul Mackay, in a letter to PD members urging them to make their views known to party headquarters.
In the letter Mr Mackay expressed the view that involvement in a coalition comprising "a questionable political grouping" with a track record of "low standards in high places" was one of the party's problems.
"As a senior member of the party I am alarmed and disappointed at the lack of debate and call to action within the party as to its future or otherwise. There is externally, within the media and elsewhere, a negative view as to the party's future.
"Is it not now opportune for members to express their views in a clear and logical manner as to whether or not the party has a viable political future?" he asked.
"For the past eight months the party has drifted aimlessly and rudderless. This has created a dangerous vacuum the consequences of which are now as follows:
1. A leaderless party.
2. A party trapped and emasculated in a Government without a meaningful voice.
3. A seriously depleted and demoralised parliamentary party.
4. A hurt and bemused party membership.
5. A downsized and unsupported party headquarters.
6. Elected party public representatives vulnerable and exposed to political predators.
7. Alignment in the Oireachtas to a questionable political grouping."
Mr Mackay said the members, and only they, must now address the question of whether the party had a future.
"If the answer is in the affirmative then the immediate priorities are as follows:
8. The election of a new leader now from within the ranks of the wider party membership.
9. The removal of the shackles of Government.
10. A beefed-up party headquarters, recruitment of new members and the planning of imaginative fundraising activities.
11. Immediate review of party policy as to its current relevance, always cognisant of the dictum - radical or redundant.
12. Prepare now for upcoming elections/referenda and ensure that the party has realistic, distinguishable plans and policies in place.
13. Make a pledge to remain politically distinctive and unaligned. (Alignment to those with a track record of low standards in high places is to be avoided as they will only expose the party to electoral disasters)."
Mr Mackay went on to urge members to give very careful consideration to the arguments in favour of the party continuing.
"If the above are not achievable and/or realistic in the short-term and where there is no appetite or passion within the membership to continue, then the party should be dissolved forthwith. In doing so, the good that the party achieved in the 22 years of its political existence should be acknowledged and celebrated in a meaningful and appropriate fashion.
"The party 'machine' should be dismantled in an orderly manner and support and assistance should be offered to the party's existing public representatives so as to protect and further their political careers.
"Now is the moment for decision and action; drift is not an option.
"Now is the time for individual members to make their views known. Please do so now by contacting the party's offices at 25 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2, by telephone, letter, e-mail, fax, etc."
Mr Mackay's message to members comes after a long period of indecision about changing the rules of the party to enable it to select a new leader. Initially it was proposed to change the rule that the leader had to be a TD by allowing Senators or councillors to put their names forward. That rule change was subsequently dropped for a new one enabling any member of the party to run for the leadership.
