McDowell ratchets up tensions over Colombia Three

The Progressive Democrats could cause a major crisis in the coalition over the Colombia Three, writes Vincent Browne

When the Colombia Three controversy broke some weeks ago on the return of the men from South America, few thought it would not blow over in a few weeks and be drowned out by some other of the multiplicity of overblown crises that engulf public debate. But the Progressive Democrats (PDs), whether by design or chance, have ratcheted up tensions within the government parties on the issue and it is not now inconceivable there would be a major crisis endangering the stability of the coalition.

Michael McDowell, uncharacteristically perhaps, has been more measured in his response to the issue than was his party leader, Mary Harney. He has used the issue again to flail Sinn Féin, accusing Gerry Adams and others of having sent the men to Colombia in the first place (it is certain Gerry Adams did not send Niall Connolly there however, whatever about James Monaghan and Martin McCauley). But he has gone beyond that and indicated he personally would favour the men's extradition back to Colombia and has no reservations with the Colombian system of justice and the safety of the men's conviction by an appeal court.

Several other PD members have voiced similar views, notably Senators John Minihan and Tom Morrissey. In contrast several Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members have voiced diametrically opposite views, opposing suggestions that the men be extradited to Colombia. One Fianna Fáil Senator, Mary White, identified strongly with the 'Bring Them Home' campaign and attended sections of the men's trial in Bogotá.

Bertie Ahern has sought to defuse the issue from the time the men returned to Ireland speaking with characteristic ambiguity over what should now happen but the core of Fianna Fáil is opposed to extradition.

There have been several points of tension between the PDs and Fianna Fáil in the last year, notably on the second Dublin airport terminal, and the privatisation of Aer Lingus. There were also tensions between Bertie Ahern and Mary Harney on the new Health Executive Authority and the appointment of a head to that body. It as Bertie Ahern's intervention that secured the appointment of Professor Brendan Drumm, after Mary Harney's negotiations with him had broken down. Although that clash did not receive public airing, according to government sources it almost resulted in a serious rift.

The PDs are concerned with their electoral prospects especially in the light of its dismal showings in the local elections of last year. Several of the party's TDs think their seats are in jeopardy and certainly Tim O'Malley, Fiona O'Malley, Mae Sexton and Tom Parlon are in danger of losing out.

The PDs believe that they did well in the last election largely because they cleverly distanced themselves from Fianna Fáil with the poster "Overall Majority, No Thanks". One way of securing all eight seats again would be a high profile break with Fianna fail over an issue that would resonate, if not with the electorate as a whole, then with the PD constituency.

While Michael McDowell and the PDs might favour the return to Colombia of the Colombia Three, it seems unlikely the courts would countenance that, even though there is a solid PD leavening on the Supreme Court at present.

The government parties however are fortunate the Dáil is in recess and will remain in recess effectively until the beginning of October, well over six weeks away. The likelihood is that by then other issues will have emerged to fasten public and Dáil attention and the tensions between the parties may have eased by then.

Unless.

At the favour early autumn party gatherings over the coming weeks stances are taken that further harden positions.