Harney defends record of new leader

Ciarán Cannon: focus is on reorganising the party
Photograph: The Irish Times

FORMER PD leader Mary Harney yesterday defended the record of her successor Ciarán Cannon since taking over the leadership this year.

Ms Harney accepted the Galway Senator had a low profile, but said this was due to his efforts to reorganise the party. Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, she said Senator Cannon’s focus was on reorganising. “He has spent the last two months talking to members of the party and particularly to county councillors. He said himself the test for the party would be next year’s local elections.” She was responding to reports which showed very low recognition of Mr Cannon.

“He is putting all his efforts into securing good candidates for that election and securing the re-election of those who represent the party at local level. Clearly after the last election result there’s a major challenge for the party. There are two Dáil deputies and two members of the Senate. By any standard that is a difficult situation for the party to find itself in.”

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times