Labour seems almost certain not to contest a presidential election against Mrs Mary McAleese, with TDs hardening their opposition to a contest.
Several party TDs said yesterday they believed Labour should not contest what many regard as an unwinnable election, although there will be no decision until a meeting of its executive on September 16th.
President McAleese is widely expected to announce in the first half of next month that she will seek a second seven-year term.
She is considered unbeatable by most political observers and some senior Labour TDs fear that the party's most likely candidate, Mr Michael D. Higgins, could face a humiliating defeat in an election against her.
With Fine Gael having signalled long ago that it will not contest an election against Mrs McAleese, the only other candidates already in the frame are the former MEP Ms Dana Rosemary Scallan, and the peace activist and former UN official Mr Denis Halliday.
Ms Scallan will wait until Mrs McAleese declares her position before announcing whether she will seek a nomination.
Mr Halliday is waiting until Labour reaches a decision. He is being promoted by a number of Independent TDs, led by Mr Finian McGrath.
Several Labour TDs said the expectation that the party would select Mr Higgins to run against Mrs McAleese had diminished considerably in recent weeks. Mr Higgins had no comment to make yesterday, besides saying there would be a decision next month.
With the Coalition parties suffering heavy losses in the European and local elections last June, many Labour TDs are reluctant to hand a victory on a plate to the Government so soon after that setback.
Citing the expense of running such a campaign - up to €500,000 - the deputies said Labour should concentrate its resources on fighting the two by-elections that are likely in the next Dáil term. These will be held after the departure of Mr Charlie McCreevy to the European Commission and likely departure of Mr John Bruton to become the EU's next ambassador to Washington.
