Harney resignation will cause ‘instability’
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said that the Taoiseach’s response — in which Mr Ahern insisted he would have to seek guarantees from the new PD leader on the coalition’s future — underscored the potential difficulties ahead.
“The Taoiseach’s response highlights the potential for situations like this to create instability within government at a crucial time when good governance and coherence from the top are absolutely needed,” Mr Kenny said.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte was blunter, saying it was simply “not credible” for the Government to continue as if nothing had happened, and predicting the coalition would shortly sunder.
“The forcing out of Mary Harney leaves a dysfunctional minor partner in government, whose two ministers now ignore each other and who preside over two departments [Health and Justice] in disarray,” he said.
“If the PDs, just a couple of months ago, persuaded Ms Harney to stay on because they feared the consequences of Michael McDowell taking over as party leader, why should the rest of the country not be fearful of his taking over as Tánaiste?”
Mr Rabbitte added that there was a strong chance, in his view, that Mr McDowell, should he be elected as party leader, would “manufacture an excuse” to break up the coalition with Fianna Fáil — in an attempt to revitalise the PDs outside of government.
In the meantime, the Labour party leader warned that crucial issues would be overlooked. “Increased crime, the hospital beds crisis and rising prices will all be lost in the new arrangement,” said Mr Rabbitte.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent issued a similar warning, saying Ms Harney’s resignation would create “huge instability” at the heart of the Government.
He said there was a possibility Mr Ahern would have to bring forward next summer’s election, given that his preferred coalition partner was “cannibalising itself”.
Sinn Féin’s leader in the Dáil, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, said the election should be called immediately.
“This Government is at the end of the line and the whole lot of them should now resign and call a general election,” he said.
The fact that Ms Harney had led the PDs was irrelevant to most people, he claimed.
“But relevant to every citizen is the crisis in our health services over which she has presided. Her stewardship of our health services has been appalling, as was that of her predecessors in the Fianna Fáil/PD coalition since 1997.”
At 24 appointed youngest ever Senator.
Elected to the Dáil.
Expelled from Fianna Fáil for voting in favour of Anglo-Irish Agreement.
Co-founder of PD’s.
Becomes first woman leader of an Irish political party.
After provoking outrage with comments on single mothers, she takes PD’s into coalition with Fianna Fáil and is made first woman Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister.
Government re-elected as PD TD’s double to eight.
Marries businessman Brian Geoghegan.
Apologises for using a Government jet to fly to Leitrim to open a friend’s off-licence.
Becomes Health Minister.
Declares A&E trolley crisis a national emergency.
Sees off bid by Michael McDowell to topple her as leader.
Steps down as PD leader and Tánaiste.
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