PDs to debate change of rules

THE Progressive Democrats meet again today to discuss the leadership of the party and how to live within their budget following the disastrous general election.

Last month, an internal committee recommended changing the party rules to allow senators or councillors to become leader. The existing rules state that only TDs can lead the party.

A second report, prepared by a separate internal committee, recommended a strategy for the 2009 local and European elections which is understood to focus on winning seats in a small number of constituencies.

The national executive of the PDs met at the end of the month to discuss both reports, but no decisions were taken. They resume their deliberations today.

The executive will also discuss staffing issues, as funding is now a problematic issue for the party.

In the last Dáil year, the PDs’ Party Leaders’ Allowance — State funding based on the number of TDs and senators a party has — was over €510,000.

But after six of the party’s eight TDs lost their seats at the last election, the PDs are set to receive only €308,000 in the current Dáil year.

The difference of around €200,000 will represent a serious shortfall for a small party.

Some staff members at party headquarters have already departed in the wake of the election. A PD spokesman said yesterday that the party now had to “decide what the organisation can sustain” in terms of staff at headquarters.

Meanwhile, should the party approve the proposed changes to the leadership rules, it would clear the way for Senator Fiona O’Malley to assume the role.

The current leader, Health Minister Mary Harney, has said she has no wish to serve in the role long -term and the party’s only other TD, Noel Grealish, is not interested in the job.

That means the change in leadership rules is practically certain, but while Ms O’Malley is expected to succeed Ms Harney as overall leader, it is expected Ms Harney will be named as the party’s “Dáil leader”.