Fine Gael: Without Harney PDs are 'finished'

In response to the announced resignation of the PD leader Mary Harney, FG Councillor Lucinda Creighton described the party as heading towards the next elections "as a rudderless ship, set to run aground on the many rocks that will impede their course".

Ms Creighton: "My experience on the doorsteps over the past few months in Dublin South East has revealed a sharp decline in support for the PDs. Mary Harney alone was the one figure in the Party who commanded respect.

"Without her, I believe the PDs are finished. None of the pretenders for the leadership of the Party are up to scratch. Liz O'Donnell turned down a Ministerial position in 2002, Michael McDowell showed he has lost all sense of reality during the 'A Case' scandal.

"Tom Parlon is a dead duck who has lost the agri-vote after the crisis with Greencore and the decentralisation disaster. There is no-one capable of taking over the mantel and leading the PDs to a successful election next year," said Lucinda.