Cannon to take up role as new PD leader today

The new leader of the Progressive Democrats formally takes up the position today.

Galway based Senator Ciaran Cannon was chosen to replace Mary Harney last week following a narrow election victory over Fiona O'Malley.

He is due to undertake a tour of PD branches in the coming months to assess the state of the party following its disastrous general election performance last year.

Mr Cannon has admitted that the forthcoming local elections will effectively decide if the PDs have a future in Irish politics.