Baptism of fire for McDowell

OPPOSITION leaders yesterday warned the new leader of the Progressive Democrats, Michael McDowell, that he would have a tough baptism of fire in the nine months leading up to the general election.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny congratulated Mr McDowell.

However, he said the new PD leader would have a “busy time” over the coming months.

“With crime levels rising and crime detection rates falling, with hundreds of patients on trolleys and thousands on waiting lists and this Government miles away from reaching their stated target of having 20% of workers paying tax at the top level, there is a significant body of work to be done,” said Mr Kenny.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte also offered his congratulations.

He went on to say that Mr McDowell as leader would allow a clearer choice between those who believed in a fair society and “those like Michael McDowell who believe that a measure of inequality is necessary to drive our economic and political system.”

Predictably, Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said: “Whoever occupies the leader’s position in the Progressive Democrats we in Sinn Féin will strongly oppose their right-wing policies.”

After congratulating Mr McDowell, Green Party chairman John Gormley said: “The PDs will always put corporate profit above the quality of life of individuals and their communities. We look forward to robust exchanges across the floor of the Dáil.”