PD warning – no alliance with SF

THE Progressive Democrats will not enter into an alliance with Sinn Féin on any local council, Tánaiste Mary Harney said yesterday.

The PD leader said this policy would apply even if it meant losing mayoralpositions on local authorities:“Our view on Sinn Féin is very clear. For as long as they are associated with the Provisional IRA, and as long as they refuse to condemn and stand down their army, we are not going to enter into an alliance with them.”

The Progressive Democrats are not contesting the European elections but the party is running 127 candidates in the local elections, compared to 62 in 1999.

Tánaiste Mary Harney said the party hoped to win council seats in new areas such as Kerry, Laois, Mayo and Offaly.

The party won 32 seats in the 1999 local election and Ms Harney said she wasconfident they would make gains on this figure.