PD conference to continue in Wexford later today

The Progressive Democrats National Conference continues in Wexford today.

Among the guest speakers are Liam Doran of the Irish Nurses Organisation and Anne-mie Neyts, President of the European Liberal Democrats.

Party Leader Michael McDowell will deliver his keynote address at 8.30 tonight.

Opening the Conference last night, he launched an attack on an alternative Government.

The PD Leader said plans by the Green Party to invest in environmental and urban planning measures would be catastrophic for our regional infrastructure

He said: "That means no more motorways. It means no completion of the N11; it means to N9; it means no motorway from Dublin to Galway; it means not motorway from Dublin to Limerick; it means give up on the Dublin Cork motorway; because that is what they are talking about."

The Irish Nurses Organisation Chief is to address the conference despite being on a collision course with the minister of health over demands for improved pay and conditions

Industrial action by members of both the INO and Psychiatric Nurses Association is due to commence next Friday

INO General Secretary Liam Doran conceded that while there is a certain irony concerning his PD address, he was looking forward to a frank exchange of views

"The Minister's invitation to discuss the matter is indicative of a much more enlightened approach than that shown by the HSE at the moment. At the end of the day, this is going to solved by engagement. We don't want confrontation, we want reform, we want recognition, we want reward, but we recognise we have to work cleverer and work longer."