Fianna Fáil TD Jim McDaid has said he will now put his name forward for the party's nomination despite announcing he would retire from politics at the next election.
The former Cabinet minister is believed to be concerned at the handling of the merger between the Independent Fianna Fáil party in Donegal and Fianna Fáil, and over the admission of the Donegal North East TD Niall Blaney to Fianna Fáil.
It was announced last night that Niall Blaney had joined the party, ending a 35-year rift between the party and the Blaney family. Following the announcement, Dr McDaid told The Irish Timeshe intended to allow his name go forward to a selection convention later this year.
Dr McDaid and Cecilia Keaveney are the two Fianna Fáil TDs in the three-seater Donegal North East constituency. The admission of the third TD in the constituency, Niall Blaney, to the party, gives Fianna Fáil three seats in that constituency in the current Dáil, although Mr Blaney already supported the Government.
The party now faces the dilemma of how many candidates to run in Donegal North East at the next election to maximise its number of seats.
There is speculation that it may only be possible for Fianna Fáil to get two TDs elected, prompting fears of in-fighting over who will run in the election next year.
Dr McDaid could not immediately be contacted by ireland.com.
RTÉ news reported that the TD said the way the Blaney issue had been handled by both Fianna Fáil and by Mr Blaney would undermine both party organisations in Donegal North East.
It is understood Dr McDaid's announcement late last night was greeted with surprise by Fianna Fáil headquarters.
Dr McDaid served as minister for tourism and sport from 1997 to 2002 and was subsequently a junior minister. He was appointed minister for defence by the late Charles Haughey in 1991 but had to step down after objections by the PDs.
In October last year, Dr McDaid was fined €750 and disqualified from driving for two years after being convicted of drink-driving and dangerous driving.