Labour position: Labour TDs have said the party remains on course to decide against contesting a Presidential election despite the emergence of Mr Eamon Ryan TD as a possible candidate for the Green Party.
TDs accepted in private that Mr Ryan's attempt to secure a nomination had created a difficulty for Labour because the party risked being seen to absent itself from an election it previously wished to contest.
However, the TDs said the party should concentrate its resources on by-elections in Meath and Kildare.
A spokesman for the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said the party would be obliged to consider a Green Party request to support Mr Ryan's nomination if the party decided against contesting the election.
"If we had a request from the Greens to provide signatures that is one of the things that would have to be considered, but it would only be considered if we decided that we weren't going to contest it ourselves."
Senior Labour TD Mr Eamon Gilmore said yesterday he had a "great regard" for Mr Ryan.
The Labour Party Parliamentary Party will discuss the matter at a meeting today and tomorrow in Wexford, before making a recommendation to its executive.
The executive meets on Thursday to take the final decision on the matter. It is likely to adopt the position taken by TDs and senators, many of whom are opposed to Labour contesting what they regard as an unwinnable election.
Mr Gilmore said on television that Labour would be mindful of the popularity of Mrs McAleese when considering its options.
While citing the "desirability of a contest", he said Labour had to consider the resources available to it before the by-elections.
Mr Rabbitte's spokesman said the leader would make a recommendation to the party in Wexford, but did not reveal what that would be. However, other party figures believe Mr Rabbitte has changed the view expressed in January that the party should challenge Mrs McAleese.
While Mr Michael D Higgins was seen as the most obvious candidate, many TDs believe he would have no hope of victory.
"At this stage I don't think it's realistic to run a candidate," said one TD. "It's a very difficult one for the Labour Party. I don't know what the response of the party will be."
Mr Higgins would not say yesterday whether he wanted to contest an election. "Any decision of mine doesn't arise until the outcome of these meetings."
One of the few Labour TDs still in favour of a contest, Ms Jan O'Sullivan, said many party members wanted to run a candidate. "I still feel that we should contest it, and I still feel that Michael D is the one who should be running."
