"Furious" PDs critical of party's election strategy

AROUND 150 members of the Progressive Democrats' General Council held a "frank and forth right" meeting last night to discuss the party's negotiations to date on the formation of a coalition government with Fianna Fail.

Some members described the mood of the private 3 1/2 hour meeting as "angry" and "furious" at times, with criticism aimed at the party's election strategy.

The meeting, held in a Dublin hotel, was attended by PD councillors, constituency council members, the parliamentary party and general election candidates.

Speaking after the meeting the PDs' leader, Ms Mary Harney, described it as a "very frank discussion".

"Within the Progressive Democrats we have to have a General Council meeting to negotiate a package for government and we'll be having another one to approve a programme for government if we can agree one with Fianna Fail," she told the Irish Times.

"We were discussing clearly what happened in the election and it was a very frank, very good meeting. People were very honest and forthright and very supportive."

Asked about the mood of the meeting, Ms Harney said "people were very upset naturally with what happened, very, very upset." It was "a look back and an acknowledgment of the mistakes and it was a look to the future as well. It was `where do we go from here'."

The meeting "clearly acknowledged that mistakes were made and I have to take responsibility for that".

A party spokeswoman said the purpose of the meeting was for the council to "give permission" to the party's negotiating team to finalise the proposed programme for government with Fianna Fail. The council will meet again next week to consider what the party's negotiators come back with from their discussions with Fianna Fail.

One party member said strong concerns were voiced about the PDs' share of Cabinet positions, junior ministries and Seanad places. Another said many at the meeting were "devastated" at the party's heavy election losses which have reduced its Dail seats to four.

Ms Harney said it was important to consult the party. "It's also very important that I know I have the full confidence of the General Council which helps me in my negotiations with Fianna Fail and I look forward to those negotiations continuing over the next few days," she said. Ms Harney said she received a standing ovation at the end of the meeting.