PDs to leave voters in no doubt where party stands

The time for keeping the profile low has passed, writes Mark Hennessy , Political Correspondent

The time for keeping the profile low has passed, writes Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent

During the 1997/2002 government, Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats pretty much happily co-existed, with the occasional feud to liven up proceedings. So far, the current Government does not seem to be suffering even that level of internal dispute. Instead, the two parties act like comfortable bedfellows used to each other's habits.

The peaceable atmosphere has been helped principally by the Taoiseach's realisation in late September 2002 that the Abbotstown national stadium would not be built.

The Progressive Democrats won on that issue but they did so because Charlie McCreevy finally got Mr Ahern to accept that he could not spend hundreds of millions on the plan, not because he ever accepted that they were right.

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Obsessively concentrated upon by politicians and media, the level of debate about the stadium spoke volumes for the lack of debate taking place about more important social issues.

Though endless tiffs can irritate voters, the problem now, however, for the Progressive Democrats is that they may be looking too comfortable together with Fianna Fáil. Since May 2002 the Progressive Democrats have been "flying under the radar", which has not been without its advantages given the public's irritation with the Government.

However, the time for keeping the profile low has passed.

For years, the junior coalition partner has sold itself to the public as the grit in the oyster of government, without which pearls could not be produced.

This weekend's conference in Killarney, party officers insist, will provide plenty of grit, leaving voters in no doubt about where the party stands on the major issues of the day.

Fresh from building a tunnel in Madrid for a fraction of the cost proposed in Ireland, Spanish Professor Manuel Melis Maynor will offer advice.

The Tánaiste and other senior PD figures, such as the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, will once more don the "radical, or redundant" mantle worn so often in the past.

"People on Sunday night will be under no doubt about what the PDs stand for now, and what we will stand for in the future," said one senior party figure.

In particular, the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, will seek to take some of the credit for the Government's decision to decentralise Government departments. The idea has been pushed by the PDs for years, though Fianna Fáil has been more successful since the Budget in claiming credit for it.

Meanwhile, the party, which must take votes from Fine Gael if it is to grow, seems to be passing up an opportunity to hurt the Blueshirts in the European Parliament elections.

Former minister of State Ms Liz O'Donnell could well have won a Euro seat in Dublin, but she has forsaken the opportunity to do so. Her decision has scuppered the PDs' plan to launch their Euro campaign, unless the party leadership is coming to Killarney with a surprise in store.

Still, these are small enough worries for now. The Progressive Democrats are in power for the seventh year in a row, with another two years to go, barring accidents.

"\ are enjoying phenomenal growth. Our membership has grown in just two years, and we are fielding the strongest team of local election candidates ever," said parliamentary party chairman Mr Noel Grealish.

Before Election 2002, the party's future was openly speculated about. Under some scenarios, Mary Harney could have been left as the party's sole TD.

The doomsday predictions were badly wrong, largely thanks to Michael McDowell's decision to paint Fianna Fáil as untrustworthy. Nevertheless, the PDs have done well before in Dáil elections only to lose most of the gains. Today, the party has eight TDs, four senators and over 30 local councillors.

This time, however, the PDs' general secretary, Mr John Higgins, insists that the gains made in 2002, particularly those made in new constituencies, will be held.

A great number of the public are PD in outlook, they like the party's message about low taxes and reform. They just don't know it yet, said another party figure.

Clearly, the party's appeal is broadening, as can be seen by the Dáil success of Ms Mae Sexton in Longford and Mr Tom Parlon in Laois/Offaly.

In June, the Progressive Democrats are running 120 candidates in the local elections, hoping that 60 will be elected. If so, it would double the party's council tally. More importantly, it would buttress local organisations, besides producing viable Dáil candidates for the future.