The party started in the 1980s at a time of political turmoil and economic collapse. By the end of the 90s the stage was set for the launch of the boom, but power struggles and the constant threat of electoral wipeout kept the party on the edge.
In 2002 the PDs were back in power with Fianna Fáil. But the struggle over the leadership between Mary Harney and Michael McDowell was never far from the surface. While the economy continued to boom in the run up to the general election in 2007, it looked like the party would go on for ever.
