Independent Harney: I’m no quitter

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney said she is “not a quitter” and is happy to stay in the job for as long as possible as an independent TD following the wrapping up of the Progressive Democrats last weekend.

Ms Harney faced questions in Cork yesterday over her political future following the PDs’ decision to disband. She said she would support the Government and would stay on as Minister for Health for as long as she had the energy and the support of the Taoiseach.

She said she enjoyed reform and had offered to take on the job in order to “get stuck in”.

However, she added she did not accept that nobody else wanted the job and it was ultimately a matter for the Taoiseach to decide.

“I am not the only candidate for minister for health. I have no special entitlement or special right to the job.”

The minister acknowledged the role was a contentious one, but said she felt enormous progress was being made.

“The consultant contracts will fundamentally change the way our hospitals operate,” she said.

“There will be a one-for-all system with no preferential access that we have seen too often, when public patients are left in a queue while private has access to public facilities.”

Speaking about the contentious cervical cancer vaccine withdrawal, Ms Harney said her first priority was the treatment of people who have cancer today.

“Of course money can be found to save lives. A new cervical screening programme began six weeks ago and is being offered to every woman aged 25-60, and that will save over 80% of deaths from cervical cancer,” she said.

“When you have the choice between the screening programme and the vaccine then I’m afraid there was no choice.

“Unfortunately economic circumstances have changed rapidly, but I didn’t say it would never happen.”

Meanwhile, PD party leader Ciaran Cannon said yesterday he had held “very informal” discussions with Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour.

Mr Cannon said he would wait until the PDs were formally dissolved before entering more substantive discussions. He expects the PDs will be wound up some time in January, and will then hold talks with a view to joining another party by Easter.

“And I am intent on joining a political party. There’s no question about that. I will not be contesting the next election as an Independent.”

Mr Cannon said this was because he believed political objectives could best be achieved by like-minded politicians working in tandem with each other in a party.

What’s next for the PD parliamentary party?

* Mary Harney: Health Minister and TD.

Speaking after members voted to wind up the PDs at the weekend, Ms Harney said she would not be joining any other party “either now or in the future”. This means that, once the party is no more, she will become an Independent TD. As for her place in Cabinet, Ms Harney said she wished to remain as Health Minister, but stressed it was for the Taoiseach to decide. Mr Cowen has given Ms Harney his support, saying she is a “valued and experienced member of Government”, meaning she will remain as minister for the immediate future.

* Ciaran Cannon: Party leader and senator.

Says he has held “very informal” talks with Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour, but stresses he won’t be taking the matter further until the PDs are formally dissolved. That process will likely take a couple of months, as legal, administrative and financial matters are taken care of. Mr Cannon believes it will be January before the party is finally dissolved, and will then consider his political future in earnest with a view to joining another party by Easter. “I am intent on joining a political party. There’s no question about that,” he said.

* Noel Grealish: TD.

Confirmed earlier this year that he had held talks with Fianna Fáil with a view to joining the party, but said yesterday he would not decide his future until the PDs are dissolved. “I’ve been with the party since the beginning, and I’m going to stay with the party until the [dissolution] process is complete. Then I’ll discuss the issue with my parliamentary party colleagues in Dublin and also councillors in Galway. And then I’ll weigh things up and decide.”

* Fiona O'Malley: Senator.

Had not responded to a request for comment at time of going to press, but is thought most likely to view Fianna Fáil as her natural home.