Fine Gael would support President Mary McAleese for a second term if she announces she will run as a non-party candidate, party leader, Mr Enda Kenny, has indicated.
Mr Kenny told The Irish Times: "If she does decide to nominate herself, as is her right, as a non-party candidate, I would certainly give serious consideration that the Fine Gael party should decide not to oppose her".
He said: "I just think that if President McAleese does decide to nominate herself she has done a very good job for the country and in those set of circumstances I would certainly go back to the parliamentary party and say: 'This has changed the usual business'."
The Fine Gael leader said: "We are 20 weeks from the locals and the European. (The Presidency) does not rank in the same category at all as the locals or the preparations for the general election."
Former Fine Gael Taoiseach, Dr Garret FitzGerald, has repeatedly insisted that he would not run, while other Fine Gael figures, such as former minister, Mr Alan Dukes, are equally unenthusiastic.