The Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, yesterday denied that she had come close to resigning as leader of the Progressive Democrats during the recent turbulence in the party.
Asked by Seán O'Rourke on RTÉ radio's News at One if her energy was being consumed by having to fight Michael McDowell over the party leadership, she replied: "None of my energy is consumed by fighting with Michael McDowell. My energy is focused solely on reform at the Department of Health and Children.
The reason I opted in 2004 when the Taoiseach was having a reshuffle in the Cabinet to move to the Department of Health and Children was to drive through reform. I like a challenge. I like to make things happen. I like to drive change because I think in so many areas of Irish life when we change and when we are ambitious, we all see the improvements."
Asked how close she came to resigning as party leader, she said: "I didn't come close to resigning When I decided to go to the Department of Health and Children in 2004, I went for one reason and one reason only, and that was to drive change and reform and that's what I'm focused on and that's what I'm going to continue to be focused on. "
Speaking to Matt Cooper on Today FM's The Last Word, Ms Harney denied that she had to contend with any machinations from Mr McDowell, adding that any outstanding issues had been discussed at the meeting of the parliamentary party last week.