The 2007 general election was a disastrous one for the party. The Progressive Democrats lost six of their eight seats in the 166-seat Dáil. Among those to lose their seats were party leader Michael McDowell, deputy leader Liz O'Donnell and party president Tom Parlon. McDowell retired from public life after he lost his seat, and Mary Harney was asked by the party chairperson to resume the role of party leader. The following month, Tom Parlon announced that he was also leaving public life and would take up the position of Director General of the Irish Construction Industry Federation.
tHE 2007 general eleCTion was A disastrous ONe For the pArty. THe ProgRessive demoCrATS lost six OF theIr eighT seAts in tHe 166-SeAt DÁil. among ThOsE to losE theIr seATs were ParTy lEadeR michAeL McdOwell, dEpUTy leadeR LIz o'DOnneLl and PartY presidENT TOm pArlOn. McDoweLl retirEd froM publiC life afTer He Lost hIs SeAt, aNd maRy haRnEy was aSked BY THe partY ChairpeRson tO resume thE role of pArty LEaDer. The FollowIng monTh, ToM parLoN aNnOUnCed tHat he waS Also lEaving PubLIc life anD WoulD taKE up the positiON Of DirEctor general of The iRIsH cOnstruction iNDUSTry fEDeraTIon.