Grealish stays with PD’s….

Date Published: 07-Mar-2008

Noel Grealish has finally ended the debate over whether he was staying on going by giving a solid commitment that he will not abandon the PDs — at least ahead of next year’s local elections.

It’s an ‘all or nothing’ scenario for the struggling party as they face an uphill battle in an attempt to significantly increase their representation on local authorities. However, Deputy Grealish could not confirm what he would do after the elections are over.

The Carnmore based TD has been involved in discussions with Fianna Fáil and at one stage late last year, it was thought that he would jump ship. He along with Health Minister Mary Harney — who is not running again — are the party’s only TDs and they have also just two Senators.

One of those, Sen. Ciaran Cannon is contesting the party leadership in a head to head battle with Sen. Fiona O’Malley. Deputy Grealish is in a difficult position as he is being courted by Fianna Fáil on one side and yet his own party needs him for survival on the other.

If he were to join Fianna Fáil now, it would effectively mean the end of the PDs as they would have no sitting TD going into the next General Election.

But he has agreed to ……………..