PDs squabble over Harney role

PD TENSIONS over the legitimacy of Mary Harney’s role as acting leader continued to simmer last night despite party efforts to cool the situation.

Ms Harney’s spokesman insisted there was no question over her position or her decision to lead the party back into government with Fianna Fáil.

The comments came after it was reported that legal advice sought by leadership contender Senator Tom Morrissey had suggested Ms Harney’s position as acting leader was “unconstitutional” based on a reading of the party’s rules.

Mr Morrissey refused to comment on the matter, but Ms Harney’s spokesman insisted “it is just one legal opinion”.

“When the party reaches an unexpected fork in the road, the national executive has the ability to find the way forward. The national executive and the general council endorsed Ms Harney as acting leader and her view to go into government. Senator Morrissey was at the meeting and did not demur,” the spokesman added.

The spat is another embarrassment for the party following the decision by PD president Tom Parlon to abandon his leadership ambitions to take up a lucrative post in the private sector.

The decision left the PDs deeper in crisis after the near general election wipe-out, which saw their Dáil numbers collapse from eight to two. Among the casualties were party leader and then tánaiste Michael McDowell and his deputy Liz O’Donnell. Health Minister Ms Harney was asked to become acting leader in the wake of the election rout, but has made it clear she sees this as a temporary position.