Galway's Progressive Democrat councilors were on tenterhooks last night as they awaited Deputy Noel Grealish's statement on his future with the party, which is expected to herald the beginning of the end.

Noel Grealish.

The Parliamentary Party meeting, which began at 5pm in Newbridge, Co. Kildare last night, was to be followed by an aggregate meeting of the party's remaining councillors and the parliamentary party.

It was widely expected to herald the end of a 'mould-breaking' party in Irish politics, following a year of flip-flopping by Galway West TD Noel Grealish on whether he was staying or going.

At the time of going to print, the meeting was still underway.

However, speaking to the Galway Independent in advance of the meeting, City Councillor Terry O'Flaherty said she had made up her mind which way to go.

"I was going to continue as a local candidate under the Progressive Democrats party. It's down to the members of the party, but if the party finishes, I will run as an Independent community candidate," she explained.

"I gave my loyalties to one party and it is a very big decision. But I am remaining with the party until the very end," she said.

Cllr Dónal Lyons is also expected to run as an Independent candidate, while Cllr Declan McDonnell is leaving open the possibility of joining Fianna Fáil.

A majority of the party's members are expected to join Fianna Fáil. However, it's possible that they will get a mixed reception within the State's biggest party, particularly with many Fianna Fáil candidates apprehensive of a post-recession backlash at next year's local elections.

At the Fianna Fáil think-in in the Clayton yesterday, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said there was a "procedure" to joining Fianna Fáil.

"You apply to join," he said.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, who is charged with choosing suitable candidates for next year's local elections, said they were "working in a vacuum at this moment in time" when it came to PD re-affiliation.

"But we have dealt with these issues before, and we have the wherewithal to do that within the party," she added.

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