The Demise of the Progressive Democrats
With the soon to be ending life of the PDs, it is worth looking at their record here in Dublin South East. Clearly the towering personality, here, as in many ways the Party itself, was Michael McDowell. As a local TD I always found Michael courteous and helpful and, while not sharing his politics, I believe that he played an important role in Irish life.
However it was the PD Councillor Wendy Hederman with whom I had most contact. Wendy was elected along with myself and Lucinda Creighton for Pembroke at the 2004 Local Elections. Daughter of former Lord Mayor
Carmencita Hederman, Wendy had a hard act to follow. She did this with style and integrity and played a very strong role in the adoption of the City Development Plan when together we pushed through a range of
measures to protect the Green Spaces, Institutional lands and residential amenities. The rejection of Ballsbridge for Prime Urban Centre (PUC) development was particularly important and may prove significant in the final An Bord Pleanála decision re the Jury’s/Berkeley Court site. At the time of her departure from the
Council, members from all Parties paid tribute to her ability and contribution.
So while I am not sorry to see the departure of the PDs and their particular form of politics from Irish political life, I want to salute those local activists and Public Representatives who did, from their perspective, make a contribution honestly and sincerely.
