A Progressive Democrat conference in Mullingar has voted to bring the party to an end.
After a discussion lasting over four hours, delegates then voted by holding voter registration cards aloft. The final tally was 201 votes to 161 against a motion to continue with the party.
The organisation will now be wound down.
The Minister for Health said she would not be joining any other political party and will remain as an independent member of Dáil Éireann.
Yesterday, Ms Harney said she would have to reflect on her position in the PDs if members voted to stay in existence.
Ms Harney said that those who want to keep the party going are more likely to attend today's meeting.
But she said that while she was not trying to bully the membership, she would have to reflect on her position in the party if members voted to keep it in existence.
Cowen pays tribute to PD party
In a statement tonight, the Taoiseach said that all members of the PDs could be proud of their contribution to the democratic process.
Mr Cowen said the Minister for Health continues to have his full support and confidence.
He said he always found the PD members he had worked with to be fully committed to the implementation of agreed Government policy.
Party's founder said it was time to wind up party
Earlier today, the party's founder said the PDs could not expect to continue as a political party.
In a letter read to delegates at the meeting, Des O'Malley said that realism and common sense demand that party members had to face the facts.
He added that the only realistic step is to commence the wind up of the party.
The letter was read by former PD Senator John Dardis at the request of Mr O'Malley.
At the meeting, some members put forward a motion to keep the party going, although party leader Ciaran Cannon, Minister for Health Mary Harney and the other Oireachtas members believed it is time to bring the PDs to an end.
Going into the day-long conference Mr Cannon said members should vote with their heads and not their hearts in bringing the party to a dignified end.
Ms Harney received a standing ovation after she delivered a strong speech to the conference.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, she said that people needed to be pragmatic in deciding the future of the organisation.
She said the party was failing to attract voters and was no longer viable.
Galway West TD Noel Grealish said that he hoped undecided delegates would be convinced after today's debate that the way forward is to fold the PD tent.
He said since the party was formed in 1985 the vote of the party has consistently gone down.
It is just over seven weeks since the leadership of the PDs came to the conclusion that the party is no longer politically viable.
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'Limbs and hearts may be broken, but the spirit remains.
Manchester United lives on'- Jimmy Murphy
P.D's officially gone.
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