THE PROGRESSIVE Democrat TD for Galway West, Noel Grealish has denied there was any “deal” for him to join Fianna Fáil.
He also told The Irish Times last night there had been “no formal negotiations” between himself and the larger party.
Commenting after the special meeting of the PDs at Newbridge, Co Kildare he said: “The four parliamentarians decided tonight that the party has no viable future and they were going to ask the national executive to convene the special conference on that proposal.
“I am going to speak in favour of the motion to wind up the party with dignity. We have achieved a lot in Irish politics. I think myself personally that the time has come to wind up the party and to go out with dignity and hopefully the history books will be kind to us.
“I’m going to wait until that conference and decide my own political future after that,” Mr Grealish said.
Although he has been the subject of persistent rumour in relation to joining Fianna Fáil he said there had been no formal talks with that party.
“No formal negotiations have taken place between me and Fianna Fáil.
“There has been contact a number of months ago, that hasn’t progressed anywhere. No deal or decision has been made on my behalf and I’m going to wait until this conference is over.
“I have been involved in the PDs since their foundation back in Leisureland that famous night and I have always been an active member. Since the last general election I felt it was going to be very difficult for the party to survive.
“I have made that view known to a few people but I am delighted we had a good frank meeting tonight. People were emotional and I appreciate that, they have given a lot to the party. It is sad to see if it does come to an end at the conference but I’ll wait till the conference is over,” he said.
Asked what he would do if the conference decided the party should remain in existence, he replied: “I’m not going to do any ‘iffing and butting’, the people that support the PDs that are members will take a pragmatic decision and a decision that should be right at the end of the day.”
Asked if he would like to join Fianna Fail, he said: “I’ll cross that hurdle when that time comes.”
