Time to elect PD leader, says Harney

Minister for Health Mary Harney has said that it time for the Progressive Democrats party to elect a new leader.

Speaking on RTÉ radio, the Minister of Health, who assumed the leadership of the PDs in the wake of last years’ disastrous General Election when the party lost six of eight seats, said: “It is time to elect a leader that will take the party forward.”

Harney also stated that if she did not trust Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, she would not be in Government with him.

Calling for an election fro a new leader, the Harney said that after 13 years as leader she felt she did “not have the capacity to take on leadership of the party”.

“It requires somebody new, fresh blood new thinking.”

Harney said it has taken a long time for the party to have a leadership election as the PDs were “very bruised” and were “on the floor” after the election

“It is the new year now and we have had quite some time to reflect and it is time for the party to pick somebody that lead us forward,” she said.

“Nobody more than me wants to see the party resolve the leadership issue.”

She dismissed as “a bit of a joke” suggestions that she had lost all interest in matters political and the PD party since become Minister for Health.

“I will do everything I can to assist my PD colleagues at national and local level to rebuild this party,” she said.

However she admitted that she was determined that introducing reforms to the health system would be her political legacy.

Harney also said that she disagreed with calls from PD founder member Paul McKay to withdraw from the Government.

She said “there was no support across the party for that to happen”.

“You would not withdraw from Government unless you have good reason to do so,” she said.

“We thought carefully before re-entering Government.”

While not underestimating the challenge the party faces, she said that a recent meeting in Galway attended by the party’s elected representatives there was a determination to rebuild the party.

Harney also said that if she did not trust Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, she would have to “opt out” of his government.

“I cannot remain in Government with people I don’t trust,” she said.

She said that the purpose of the Mahon Tribunal is to “sieve through the facts and come forward with findings”.

“We are only halfway through the tribunal,” she said, and one would not “judge a film” at that stage.

“We have to wait until the picture is complete,” she concluded.