Fianna Fáil has decided that it will not run a candidate for the Presidential election in October for the first time in its history.
A meeting of the party's TD and Senators this afternoon agreed "by consensus" with the view of party leader Michéal Martin that entering the contest would not be in the best interest of the party.
The meeting lasted over three hours, much longer than had been envisaged, and some 20 members spoke, about two thirds of whom supported Mr Martin's viewpoint.
However, several TDs and Senators, most notably deputy leader Eamon Ó Cuív and the Laois Offaly TD Barry Cowen spoke strongly in favour of the party running a candidate. The Limerick City TD Willie O'Dea was said by colleagues to be the strongest speaker of those who spoke in favour of Mr Martin's strategy.
The leader opened the meeting and also was the last person to speak.
Last Monday, a party sub-committee which Mr Martin chaired recommended that Fianna Fáil not put forward its own candidate.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting Mr Martin said that it has been a difficult decision for the party and "understandably there have been different perspectives and position" expressed by members.
He rejected the suggestion that he had handled the situation badly, firstly by approaching Gay Byrne, and secondly by not been more encouraging to South MEP Brian Crowley who had expressed a strong interest in contesting the election.
Mr Martin said that he had been criticised in the media for making a direct approach to Mr Byrne. He said that it was "old politics" to use an intermediary and he preferred using the "direct rout". He also said that knowing Gay Byrne as he did he was aware of the way he did things in a public manner.
"I know that when you make a phone call to Gay Byrne that will happen," he said.
He said that research conducted by the party suggested Mr Crowley was getting very much a Munster showing (but not strong support levels elsewhere) and he was upfront when informing Mr Crowley about that.
"I am not about playing games," he said.
When the nominations close in September, said Mr Martin, Fianna Fáil will take a decision at that stage if its will endorse any of the existing candidates, or any other candidate that emerges.
Deputy leader Eamon Ó Cuív, who also attended the conference, said that he was in favour of putting forward a candidate.
"There was a lot of consensus about the challenge. There were differences of opinion but a decision has been taken by the party," he said.
The atmosphere of the meeting was described by several participants as convivial and constructive.
With no strong internal candidate following the withdrawal of Mr Crowley, one of those who were in favour of running a candidate said there was a recognition going in to the meeting that it could not happen. Several of those present also said that the issue being pressed to a vote was never a realistic option, as it would have been seen as a challenge to the authority of the leader.
The closing day for nominations for the presidential elections will be September 28th, the Government announced yesterday.
Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said voting would take place on October 27th, with polling stations open between 7am and 10pm.
The Minister made the Presidential Election Order yesterday that set out the key dates for the election. Four candidates have already indicated they have secured the support required by the Constitution of at least 20 Oireachtas members, or four county or city councils.
They are: Gay Mitchell of Fine Gael; Michael D Higgins of Labour; and Independents Seán Gallagher and Mary Davis.
Sinn Féin will decide within the next week if it will field a candidate to run in the election.
Kerry TD Martin Ferris said it was his personal preference that the party should run a candidate, but that a formal decision by Sinn Féin would be made by early next week.
