McDowell ensures bloodless transition

THE deal, when it happened yesterday afternoon, was completed very quickly. Michael McDowell made two phone calls, one to Tom Parlon, the other to Liz O’Donnell. As soon as the second call ended, it was over.

The Justice Minister was in the driving seat and had been since Friday morning when the numbers were stacked up and the arithmetic said only one thing — he was unstoppable.

Mr McDowell didn’t need to make any deal. He knew if one of the other candidates stood, the only question would be the size of the margin — at the very worst, it would be a thumping victory; at the very best a complete shut-out.

But parliamentary colleagues who backed Mr McDowell admitted that, strategically, it would be better if it happened quickly. He could hit the ground running for the first day of the returning Dáil on September 27.

In fact, the only slight uncertainty by yesterday morning was Tom Parlon.

Mr Parlon had been contacted by Senator Tom Morrissey on Friday to set up a meeting between the two contenders at Leopardstown Races on Saturday.

The meeting ended without resolution.

“There was no conclusion,” Mr Parlon told the Irish Examiner yesterday morning from his home in Offaly. “I am back in my constituency today, assessing the situation.”

On the other side of the equation, there was some speculation early yesterday that Liz O’Donnell might still declare if Mr Parlon decided to run.

Within 12 hours of the race starting on Friday, Ms O’Donnell had reconciled herself to a McDowell leadership.

She had a long discussion with Mr McDowell that evening at which they agreed to put behind them the animus that had marked their relationship.

But Mr Parlon continued to hold out.

Mr McDowell knew it was all over bar the shouting, but knew he needed to take both rivals along. The party has raw memories of bitterness caused by the last leadership contest in 1993.

Mr Parlon and Ms O’Donnell are strong personalities — Mr McDowell knew that both need to be given major roles to unite all the strands.

The consensus deal he extended to his rivals could not be described as anything other than generous. Mr Parlon would succeed him in the powerful role of party president, with a strong role in policy formation.

The new post of deputy leader would be created for Ms O’Donnell, giving her a strong position in the party leadership.