THE Progressive Democrats have said they will "target" Labour seats in the next general election. The party has set itself a goal of doubling its present Dail tally of eight TDs.
In spite of the fact that a Progressive Democrats/Fianna Fail alliance is seen as possibly the next government, the smaller party will not enter any pre election pact.
A motion to that effect will be tabled at the party's annual conference, to be held in Bunratty, Co Clare, on November 22nd-24th.
Signalling the party's intention to go after Labour seats its leader, Ms Mary Harney, yesterday made a strong attack on the party, saying that in 1992 Labour had "fooled people into thinking that they offered change".
"In fact, all they offered was more of the same - more high spending, more high taxes, more unemployment and more crime. Labour's policies have clearly failed," she said.
In spite of record economic growth, more than 250,000 people in Ireland still could not find a real job. People were also living in fear of crime and the "mismanagement in our prisons means that convicted offenders are being let out on a daily basis, purely to create more room", she said.
A choice between Fianna Fail and Labour no longer existed, and the next general election would give voters a means of choosing between "the failed policies of the Labour Party and the new, radical options proposed by the Progressive Democrats".
Sources in the Progressive Democrats said they could win four extra seats "north of the river Liffey", mainly at Labour's expense. Nationally, they intended to double their Dail representation.