The Progressive Democrats have received another major boost to morale with the decision of the Attorney General, Mr Michael McDowell, to run for the party in the general election.
The final moves in the long-running campaign to win back the influential figure came during a meeting between Mr McDowell and leading party members last night.
His decision to seek a Dublin South-East Dáil nomination came just a day after the former Irish Farmers' Association leader, Mr Tom Parlon, announced that he would run for the PDs in Laois/Offaly.
In a brief statement, the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, said she was proposing that Mr McDowell become party president, a position that currently does not exist.
So far, the presidency's exact powers and role are unclear - though the issue could provoke Opposition criticism that Mr McDowell is compromising his position as Attorney General.
In October 2000, he proposed that a president should prepare election manifestos, revitalise the membership, direct party officials and effectively act as chief executive.
Informed quarters said he would now drive planning for the party's general election manifesto - though he will not have a hands-on role in running the organisation for now.
Senior party members were told before noon to travel to Dublin for a parliamentary party meeting, which took place in the Tánaiste's office in Kildare Street early last evening.
Two of the party's trustees, Mr Paul MacKay and Ms Noreen Slattery, also attended, though the third, Mr Brendan Mullen, was unavoidably absent abroad.
Following a discussion, the Attorney General joined them and shortly afterwards it was agreed that he would rejoin the party pending the Dublin South-East selection convention.
The Attorney General lost his Dáil seat in 1997 by just 21 votes to the Green Party's Mr John Gormley, following one of the longest recounts in the State's history.
His decision became much more likely following Mr Parlon's announcement. The two men have been in close contact over recent weeks, The Irish Times has been told.
Mr Parlon said: "He is a man of tremendous ability and experience. I think it is a great boost for the party." The decision that he should become party president will now go before Thursday's scheduled national executive meeting.
