Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte yesterday urged his party's national executive to endorse the decision of the Labour parliamentary party not to contest a presidential election.
The decision at a meeting of Labour TDs and senators in Wexford raises the possibility that Labour might provide the signatures needed by Green TD Mr Eamon Ryan to secure a nomination to run against Mrs McAleese.
It followed the confirmation by Mr Michael D Higgins TD that he wished to contest a presidential election.
While Mr Higgins made a presentation to his colleagues, they decided by a margin of two to one that the party should not enter the race.
Mr Higgins said afterwards that he would make his case again today at a meeting of the Labour national executive in Dublin, but said it was not a matter of making a "direct appeal" to the body.
The 40-member executive, generally guided by the parliamentary party, has the ultimate power to decide whether Labour should contest the election.
"Effectively what they decide I'm perfectly happy with. If they accept the recommendation from the parliamentary party that's fine. But if they decide, for example, to change that and have a candidate, well then I'm available too," Mr Higgins said. Mr Rabbitte said he hoped that the executive would back the decision of the parliamentary party.
"Obviously their position will be informed by the position of the parliamentary party. But there are a lot of independent-minded people there who will express their own view. I would hope that they would support the position."
He said the decision took place in the light of the "apparent widespread support" for Mrs McAleese and in the light of Labour's current political priorities.
These were to build on its performance in the local elections "to play a leading role" in the replacement of the present Government.
In addition, the Labour parliamentary party endorsed the strategy to seek to work with Fine Gael and the Greens to explore if a strong credible alternative to the Coalition can be created.
"The meeting noted that the party would shortly be engaged at every level in two important by-elections, as well as in due course a referendum on the new European constitution," said a statement circulated after the meeting.
Mr Rabbitte said the party had "genuine affection" for Mr Higgins and cited his record of public office and his "distinct vision".
"Michael D Higgins made a strong contribution on the issues as he sees them connected with the presidency, and made very plain that it was a decision for the party, not a decision for him. He had his say. He expressed pleasure at the manner of conduct of the debate and satisfaction."
In advance of the national executive meeting, Mr Rabbitte would not say whether Labour TDs and Senators would provide signatures for Mr Ryan.
However, he said Labour had no vested interest in refusing to facilitate a candidate "who would be broadly of our view". Labour TDs and senators had given him discretion to decide on the matter once the position of the national executive was clear.
Mr Higgins said his feelings after the meeting were not "a matter of being in any sense devastated", although he said in Irish that he was disappointed with the outcome.
He believed the funding of a campaign was not a problem because he could have secured the 12.5 per cent of the national vote required to secure up to €260,000 funding for a campaign.
Mr Higgins said he respected Mrs McAleese's intellect.
"But I very much differ with her in relation to the presentation and representation and reflection on Ireland at the present time," he said.
He said his long political experience - up to cabinet level - had amplified his ability to listen to the "subterranean voices" in Irish society.
"I identify many problems that we should face. There are deep issues of citizenship and what it is to mean and they are not narrow.
"There are issues in relation to the economy. We are just after a summer of unbridled arrogance by the right.
"Extreme right-wing opinion are frequent in the papers without any empirical justification. There is a real pressure on our universities and intellectual sources in the country."
