PDs close ranks as Harney to lead party into next election

THE Progressive Democrats moved yesterday to draw a line under the damaging internal party row that exposed serious tensions between Tánaiste Mary Harney and Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

In separate interviews yesterday, Ms Harney and Mr McDowell both stressed that the matter was now closed and the Tánaiste would lead the party into the next general election. Ms Harney, speaking in Dublin last night, denied that there was any internal squabbling or that the row had distracted from the business of Government, as Communications Minister Noel Dempsey had suggested.

“There is no internal party squabbling. We discuss issues,” she said. “The Progressive Democrats, last Tuesday evening, (had) one evening of discussion in relation to these issues. The matter was closed then. It remains closed. I’m not going to rake over the coals.”