Final arrangements to wind up PDs

Final arrangements are being made to wind up the Progressive Democrats, with the national exectuive due to meet today.

Final arrangements are being made to wind up the Progressive Democrats, with the national exectuive due to meet today.

The decision to disband the party after 23 years in existence was taken last November, after senior party members revealed they felt the party had no viable future.

A special meeting of the PDs in Mullingar, Co Westmeath saw members vote by 201 votes to 161 to defeat an amendment calling for the party to continue in existence.

In April, Minister for Health Mary Harney wrote to the Department of Finance requesting that no further State funds be paid to the Progressive Democrats under the party leader’s allowance. Former party leader Ciaran Cannon had previously requested that no further money be paid to the party under the Electoral Act.

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Once the party is formally delisted as a political party, its TDs - Ms Harney and Noel Grealish - will sit as Independents, as will Senator Fiona O'Malley in the Seanad.