What a mess! Such was the feeling on the Government side in Leinster House this week, and they weren't referring to Ray Burke. The Presidency is the problem. Generally Fianna Fail, and certainly the Progressive Democrats, won't want Albert Reynolds as their candidate for the Park because a) he mightn't win b) they won't want embarrassing matters such as passports-for-sale, the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Industry, libel cases and so on dragged out by the Opposition yet again and c) if he did win he might not be the discreet, non-interventionist, non-controversial President a government wants. But what to do? The other declared candidate, Michael O'Kennedy, may not get the party nomination on Wednesday over Albert, whose canvass has been legendary. In either case, a by-election would ensue and there are no guarantees in by-elections. So, says a senior FF source, it's a matter of whether or not to risk a by-election - and the parliamentary party must decide. If there is to be a by-election, there is a growing body of opinion that holds the party may as well select David Andrews, the man most would prefer, for many reasons. He is in Calcutta this weekend representing the Government at the funeral of Mother Teresa, which may be a disadvantage. The party may decide it cannot countenance a by-election, and so would turn to Ray MacSharry, should he run: there are mounting indications that he may.
In Fine Gael, it is a straight fight for the nomination between Avril Doyle and Mary Banotti. It will be close. Otherwise, the spotlight is on Dick Spring. Who might he pull out of the hat? That's anyone's guess.