The leader of the Progressive Democrats, Mary Harney, says there are mixed feelings within the party as to whether or not they should go back into government with Fianna Fáil.
Speaking in Dublin this morning, Ms Harney said she had spoken to her new colleagues in the parliamentary party privately and some felt that they should stay in opposition to build up the party. Asked what her own view was, she said she believed they should go into government, adding that was the mandate given to them by the people in the election.
She also said that she has had no discussions about the issue with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern so far. The party will formally meet tomorrow to discuss the issue.
Meanwhile, newly-elected Independent TDs Marian Harkin and Jerry Cowley have issued a joint statement on the formation of the new government.
Ms Harkin, who was elected in Sligo/Leitrim, and Mr Cowley, who was first to be elected in the Mayo constituency, insist any talks they would have with Fianna Fáil on the formation of the government would have to involve delivery of measures for their constituencies.
They called for the immediate publication of the Government’s National Spatial Strategy, which is to include recommendations for growth centres and locations for decentralised government departments.
