Grassroots Progressive Democrats members opposed to winding up the beleaguered party are expected to unveil a survival strategy at tomorrow’s special conference.
The meeting, at the Park Hotel in Mullingar, is due to begin at midday with a range of speakers including leader Senator Ciaran Cannon and Health Minister Mary Harney.
Ms Harney, a founding member and former leader, will outline to delegates why the party should be wound up.
A party spokesman said: "She clearly will argue that the party doesn't have a viable future."
But Offaly county councillor Fergus McDonnell, who claims to be one of several members who believe the PDs have a future, said they will make their case for the party continuing.
"It is my understanding that a policy or strategy will be enunciated," he said. "What's being mooted is not something that is going to happen immediately.
"This will be a strategy setting out over a period of time, to seek to put the party back on a sound footing. I believe the party can formulate policies that are as relevant to the Ireland of today as the previous policies were to the Ireland of yesterday."
The strategy will set out the need for a leadership group of three or four members to head-up the party while a permanent leader can be selected.
Only 400 people have registered for tomorrow's event out of the 3,000 members invited to attend.
Delegates will be asked to vote on whether the party should continue or fold via a show of hands, with a result expected by mid to late afternoon.
The four parliamentary party members — Senators Ciaran Cannon and Fiona O'Malley, and TDs Mary Harney and Noel Grealish — all believe the PDs should be wound up.
Ms O'Malley, daughter of founding member Des O'Malley, said she wanted a dignified end for the party.
"We hope that the end will be as dignified as the work that we have done for the country," she said.
Speculation surrounds Ms Harney's political future if the PDs draw to a close. Earlier this week the former party leader refused to say if she would remain as Health Minister.