Mary Harney's decision to step down as leader of the Progressive Democrats ends months of speculation surrounding the leadership of the party going into the next election.
Last June it was speculated that tensions at the top of the party could lead to a change of leadership with reports that the trustees of the PDs believed Ms Harney intended to step down as leader before the next election.
A letter from them read out at a crisis meeting of the parliamentary party last June referred to the "dysfunctional relationship" between Ms Harney and Cabinet colleague Michael McDowell, and appealed to them to settle their differences in the interests of the party and the country.
Supporters of Mr McDowell claimed Ms Harney had set three deadlines for stepping down as leader but had postponed each one before finally informing chairman of the organisation, Peter Wyer, that she intended to lead the Progressive Democrats into the next election.
The pair refused to be drawn on their differences and presented a united front. Mr McDowell denied the controversy had distracted him from his ministerial duties and said that he and Ms Harney were "absolutely united and committed to delivering on our ministerial obligations and our party obligations.
Ms Harney told journalists there was "no internal party squabbling." The matter had been "closed" at a party meeting, she said.
Mr McDowell also refused to comment on the revelations. "I will say nothing on or off the public record, by briefing, by spinning, by whatever method," he said.
"There is no difference between us full stop," he said of his relationship with Ms Harney.
