The ceasefire in the North has cleared the way for John Hume, MP and MEP, to stand for the Presidency should the political parties in the Republic put him forward as an agreed candidate. But it is not plain sailing for the SDLP leader, who is known to be interested in the position now that he feels he would not be abandoning the North mid-crisis.
In reality, both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael would prefer their own runner: also, there are many who feel Hume should stick to the North until a new power-sharing administration is in place in Stormont.
As someone not a million miles removed from the never-ending haggling remarked: "Who but John Hume can possibly sell the idea of David Trimble as northern prime minister to the nationalists?" Others say he must stay to prevent Sinn Fein dominating the nationalist community. At the same time, the Park would be a nice reward for years of often heartbreaking effort.
Serious thought is being given to the Presidency now that Mrs Robinson is stepping down, because candidates should have started canvassing already for an early November election: Mrs Robinson, it will be remembered, was electioneering for a year. Albert Reynolds's canvass has been in full flight for several months but he has no guarantee of securing the FF nomination. Maire Geoghegan Quinn is considered a better bet but there is a feeling it would be difficult to sell her considering the reason she resigned her Dail seat - media intrusion: the opposition could make hay of the idea of a recluse in the Park.
The FG leader, John Bruton, returns from his Greek holiday this weekend and the front bench will meet next week to discuss the matter. MEP Mary Banotti is the front-runner but Gemma Hussey is also interested and has backers.
But in fact both FF and FG have dark horses in reserve who, they believe, present the best prospects - the former Euro commissioners Ray MacSharry (FF) and Peter Sutherland (FG). Bruton may be putting off reshuffling his front bench until the autumn, but the Presidential issue is one that can't wait.