Labour's parliamentary party has recommended not fielding a candidate for a presidential election in October, despite the willingness of Mr Michael D Higgins to challenge Mrs Mary McAleese.
Labour's parliamentary party has recommended not fielding a candidate for a presidential election in October, despite the willingness of Mr Michael D Higgins to challenge Mrs Mary McAleese.
The party's naional executive must make the the ultimate decision when it meets tomorrow, but is unlikely to go against today's decision, which emerged after the party met in Wexford.
A statement issued after today's meeting said it had been agreed that "the party's main task was to build on the success of the recent local elections, in order to play a leading role in the replacement of the present Government."
"In this context, the PLP endorsed the strategy of seeking to work with Fine Gael and the Green Party to explore if a strong credible alternative to the present Government can be created.
"It will be vital that Labour's identity and values be strengthened and promoted in the months and years ahead to enable the party to play a central role in such an alternative," the statement added.
Earlier, Mr Higgins, said he was available to run for President if the party wished. Speaking at a meeting this morning, Mr Higgins said: "It would be a wrong impression to think that I'm not available."
"I am making an excellent recovery after two very heavy pieces of surgery this summer. My doctors tell me I should look forward to a pain-free future.
"I will listen to what my parliamentary party colleagues have to say today and then I will give my views before we reach a decision."
Mr Higgins said that the fact that a candidate securing 12.5 per cent of the first preference vote in next month's election would qualify for €260,000 of state electoral funding was significant. He said: "I think this has changed the situation quite seriously.
"The Labour Party would be very capable of attaining this level of support."
Mr Higgins had two knee operations earlier this summer, but he said there was no need to be "overly concerned about my health". He added: "I'm a little sore in the evening but I'm probably very fit."
The comments were described as a "significant step forward" by a party spokesman.
But he added: "The parliamentary party has to discuss it this afternoon and it is ultimately a decision for the National Executive tomorrow."
The National Executive was reported to have considerable misgivings about running a candidate in the election, scheduled for October 22nd.
The party may now offer its support to Green Party TD Mr Eamon Ryan's presidential election ambitions, who would run in opposition to President Mary McAleese. Mrs McAleese said yesterday she was seeking another term of office.
Under the rules, Mr Ryan needs the signatures of 20 Oireachtas members, but hopes these can come from Independent TDs and senators and members of smaller parties have all but evaporated.
Launching her own election campaign in Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday, President McAleese said she wanted another period in "the best job in Ireland, one of the most important jobs in Ireland".
Seeking cross-party support, the President said she had been "very, very encouraged" by the complimentary remarks frequently made about her by the leader of Fine Gael, Mr Enda Kenny.
