Hopes of a presidential election nomination for Green Party TD Mr Eamon Ryan are on a knife-edge in advance of his party's national council meeting in Clonakilty, Co Cork, today.
The gathering will decide whether Mr Ryan will go forward to seek a nomination to contest the October 22nd election against the President, Mrs McAleese.
The party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent, and the party chairman, Mr John Gormley, who have doubts about the plan, are growing increasingly negative towards the idea.
Grassroots opinion is still strongly in favour of contesting the election, although it could be swayed if the leadership takes a strong stand against.
However, a negative stand by Mr Sargent will be difficult to explain afterwards, given the parliamentary party's endorsement of Mr Ryan's candidature this week.
Calling for a Yes vote, Clare county councillor Mr Brian Meaney said last night: "We have had more exposure in the last two days than we have had for 20 years."
If cleared today, Mr Ryan should be able to secure the 20 names necessary for a nomination, although both Labour and the Greens are worried that too many Labour signatures will be required.
These doubts became stronger following a meeting yesterday between Mr Sargent, the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, and Labour's key adviser Mr Fergus Finlay.
Faced with mounting disquiet in some Labour ranks, Mr Rabbitte is increasingly nervous that his support for Mr Ryan's nomination could backfire badly upon him.
Last night Mr Gormley said: "It is not a foregone conclusion that we will get the necessary 20 signatures from members of the Oireachtas."
However, eight Labour TDs and senators have expressed their willingness to sign Mr Ryan's nomination papers.
Three more are privately believed to be favourable, although there is a significant and vocal lobby within the Labour parliamentary party opposed.
The Greens have so far made no progress in attracting the support of Independents beyond the three pledges already promised.
The Dublin North Central TD Mr Finian McGrath, the Dublin Central TMr Tony Gregory and the Independent senator Mr Shane Ross are willing to support Mr Ryan.
"We have not received as many Independent nominations as expected, making us more dependent on Labour Party support," said Mr Gormley.
The intentions of two Independent senators, Mr David Norris, who is on holiday in Cyprus, and Mr Feargal Quinn, could yet play a significant role in events.
Voicing the view of others, the Galway East TD Mr Paddy McHugh said Independents should "not be a fall-back" for Mr Ryan.
Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens insist they can form the next government.
"If it isn't possible for him to get 20 names from those parties then everything they have been saying to us for the last year does not stand up," said Mr McHugh.
