Higgins leaves PDs

Higgins leaves PDs for retirement planning position

Michael Commins

ON the same weekend that the Progressive Democrats announced a new contest for party leader, the General Secretary of the party, Mayo man John Higgins, announced his decision to seek out fresh pastures. The Ballyhaunis native is to assume the role of Chief Executive with the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland (RPCI).
John, who is a brother of Fine Gael MEP, Jim Higgins, has been General Secretary of the Progressive Democrats since 1998 and has acted as both National Director of Elections and Director of all National Conferences of the Party since his appointment.
Closely associated with the world of politics for over three decades, it was felt that John would pursue a career in politics during the mid-1970s. However, that mantle eventually rested on Jim who went on to win a seat on Mayo County Council and later was elected to Dáil Éireann. Indeed, there was speculation only two years ago that John Higgins might contest a general election in Mayo as a PD candidate himself.
A primary school teacher by profession, John served as principal in Loughglynn NS for a number of years. He put this knowledge of the area to excellent use in 1999 when he helped to guide local man, Hugh Lynn, to a sensational win in the local elections of that year. Hugh was the first and only councillor elected to a county council for the PDs in the province of Connacht outside of the party’s strong base in Co Galway.
John also was closely associated with Kiltimagh IRD and various other community-led developments prior to taking up his assignment with the Progressive Democrats.
Regarded as an able and highly-competent organiser, John saw the PDs through some troubled times. The highlight of his time as General Secretary was when they moved from four seats to eight seats in the 2002 General Election.
However, the party suffered a major downturn in fortunes last year, coinciding with the revival of Fine Gael, and they lost six seats, three of them by narrow enough margins.
Now, the party faces an uphill battle in advance of the local and European elections in June of next year. Senator Fiona O’Malley, daughter of party founder Des O’Malley, and Senator Ciaran Cannon from Loughrea will contest the party leadership race over the next few weeks.
In standing down from his role as General Secretary of the PDs, John Higgins had this to say yesterday (Monday): “The Progressive Democrats Party has played a pivotal role in Irish politics since its foundation, and I am sure the party has a major contribution to make to the future of this country for years to come.
“In my time as General Secretary, I have been privileged to work closely with many exceptional people including politicians, work colleagues and volunteers who have displayed leadership, integrity and honesty on behalf of the party.
“The party has now begun the process of selecting a new leader and, while it won’t be an easy task, I have every confidence that the incoming leader can build on the party’s legacy of achievements.
“Having had the privilege of working at the coalface of Irish politics for the past ten years, I am proud of the years of commitment which I gave to the party. However, it is now an appropriate time for me to seek out a new challenge.”
In relation to his new role, he said: “The Retirement Planning Council is a new, exciting challenge for me, and one I am greatly looking forward to. Given our population demographics in Ireland, properly planning for our collective retirement must be a central policy issue for Government in the years ahead.”
Mr Higgins will oversee the development of the RPCI and the expansion of their services.