Harney says she will go if PDs go under

The Tanaiste, Ms Mary Harney, has said "if the Progressive Democrats go under, I will go under with them".

She was speaking at a press conference after a meeting of the general council of the party, attended by an estimated 170 members, in the Green Isle hotel in Dublin on Saturday.

Amid reports of a crisis in the party in the wake of its poor showing ein in the recent by-election in Cork South Central, the Tanaiste was emphatic that she had no intention of allowing the party to wither away or merge. "This party has no intention of merging with any other party," she said.

Party sources said there was "absolute support" for Ms Harney's leadership and a determination to work harder to maintain a niche for the party.

The imperative for the PDs, Ms Harney said afterwards, was to remain in Government as a strong political force. "I can assure you that the PDs are not going to roll over and let the Labour Party into government for the next 10 years."

The future of the PDs would not be decided by media commentators but by the people in the ballot box, she added.

"We must convince them that our policies are best able to tackle the problems of this country. We must convince them that we have the courage to investigate wrongdoing at the highest levels and above all we must convince them that we are here for the long haul," Ms Harney stated.

The first opportunity to do that would arise in the local elections next June and, she said, she wanted to lead the PDs into the next election as an independent party.

Asked if the Munster MEP Mr Pat Cox would be welcome back, she said: "I have never shown anyone the exit door in this party and I don't intend refusing entry to any person who is sincere and genuine about what the party is about."