The Progressive Democrats have decided to "revise upwards" the number of constituencies they will target in the general election, the party leader, Ms Mary Harney, said yesterday.
At a press conference in Kilkenny following a strategy meeting of the parliamentary party and selected candidates, Ms Harney said rising support for the party nationally opened up the possibility of potential seat gains in additional constituencies.
She believed that a decade after its debut election, the party could surpass its previous best performance of 14 seats. The party plans to contest up to 30 constituencies.
The meeting had endorsed the party's decision not to enter any pre election alliances with any other party. "We will fight the election on our own distinctive policies," Ms Harney said. "There will be no voting deals anywhere in the country."