Progressive Democrats leader Ciarán Cannon has moved to dispel rumours surrounding the Progressive Democrats' role at the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting, which takes place in Galway next month.

Noel Grealish.

Following an article in a Sunday newspaper which suggested that Progressive Democrats members could be 'welcomed back into the fold' of Fianna Fáil at the Galway session, Senator Cannon told the Galway Independent that "there will be no Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats 'announcement' in Galway."

Rumours have been rife since last year's disastrous election that the Progressive Democrats would be subsumed back into the Fianna Fáil 'gene pool'. Deputy Noel Grealish has been actively courted by local Fianna Fáil representatives in recent months and speculation is mounting that he will return to Fianna Fáil in the near future.

Speaking to the Galway Independent, Deputy Grealish said he had not "ruled anything in or out" since last year's election.

"It's no secret that talks have taken place between myself and Fianna Fáil, but I haven't decided yet about my political future. There will be no announcement at the conference.

"Ciarán Cannon is on holidays at the moment, so I'm going to wait until Ciarán gets back and I will sit down with him and have a talk about my plans and his plans," he explained.

Speculation is mounting that Taoiseach Brian Cowen will make a 'state of the nation' address at the conference. This is expected to involve announcements of tough measures to tackle the economic downturn and possibly a first time buyers' home loan scheme, according to Fianna Fáil insiders.

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