THE term of office of the President, Mary Robinson, concludes at the end of 1997. Although it is unclear yet whether she will seek a second seven-year term, pundits within the political parties - who are not likely to oppose her if she does - are inclined to think she will not. Consequently they are considering candidates and none more so than Fianna Fail, the party that believes the office rightly belongs to it.
Former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey and Albert Reynolds are said to be interested, although neither has ever gone on the record to say so. They are staying their hand and eyeing the opposition. David Andrews is viewed as an ideal compromise candidate. None of the three, however, has found total favour with the current party hierarchy and the front-running candidate now emerging is Mary O'Rourke, deputy leader of FF and sister of the late Brian Lenihan, who nearly made it last time. She says she is interested.
Both Haughey and Reynolds are said to carry too much baggage - Haughey on the GUBU years and Reynolds on the beef tribunal - for, either of them to be a certainty. While it is argued that Haughey has presidential presence and. great style and Reynolds has the achievement of the peace process behind him, it is possible that, neither may want the job. Haughey appears to be enjoying retirement; Reynolds is doing well financially out of directorships and worldwide speaking engagements.