PD co-founder Quill insists she will retire regardless of Cannon appeal

VETERAN politician and Progressive Democrats co-founder Mairín Quill insisted last night that she will retire from politics next year.

She was responding to comments from her party’s new leader Ciaran Cannon, who said he planned to ask her to reconsider her decision.

And Mr Cannon said if he couldn’t convince her to stay on, he would ask Ms Quill to assume some form of mentoring role to coach young PD members.

But Ms Quill said: “I’ve made it well known to my party and supporters that I will not contest the next local elections.

“There is a time when people must make way for younger people with fresh ideas and energy.

“This has been my plan for some time now. I will work out my term of office with all my energy.

“There are many projects left in the north-east area of the city that I want to bring to fruition.”

However, she pledged her continuing support to Mr Cannon as he seeks to rebuild the PDs, devastated by last year’s general election.

The party has been hit badly recently with the defection of three councillors in recent months.

Councillor Eddie Fitzpatrick of Offaly County Council left the party to become an independent.

Cllr Mary-Mitchell O’Connor, the party’s only representative on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, defected to Fine Gael in December.

And Mags Murray, a member of Fingal County Council, resigned in February to join Fianna Fáil.

Ms Quill, the party’s sole representative on Cork City Council, said Mr Cannon’s task of rebuilding the party was daunting and enormous.

But she said the values that the PDs stood for at their formation in 1985 must live on in political life.

She pledged continuing support and advice and said she was confident the party would retain her city council seat.

“I have no intention of letting this PD seat go,” she said.

“The political landscape would be a poorer place if the PDs didn’t continue to be a strong force. It’s good for democracy to have the party in place.”