MS Mary Harney has indicated that the water charges argument would not keep her party out of a coalition with Fianna Fail if she won the necessary mandate.
Launching her party's election poster campaign in Cork yesterday, the Progressive Democrats leader said that despite the fundamental differences between the PDs and Fianna Fail on the issue, "if the electorate gives me a mandate I will enter in good faith into negotiations on the formation of the next government to ensure that this country has good government and that it will last".
Her remarks were not at odds with either party's commitment to its own philosophy, Ms Harney said. She added that if a potential Fianna Fail partner came forward with tough policies on law and order, the PDs would be willing to enter a coalition.
Ms Harney was asked about a claim by Mr Charlie McCreevy of Fianna Fail on RTE's Morning Ireland yesterday. Mr McCreevy said in effect that the PDs would coalesce whatever the outcome of the water charges issue.
She said she believed there was a lot in what Mr McCreevy had to say. Her party was of the opinion that the water charges issue needed to be addressed by an overhaul of the tax system because it was clear that water and its provision would have to be paid for.
She made clear that should the numbers favour a Fianna Fail PD coalition after the next election, she would not allow the issue to stand in the way.
Although she did not favour a coalition between Labour and her own party, if Mr Spring adopted more "Tony Blair type policies" she could see herself doing business with Labour.