Ned O'Keeffe has written to Fianna Fáil applying for readmission to the parliamentary party a little over two months after resigning in protest at the Government's health policies.
The Government chief whip, Tom Kitt, confirmed to The Irish Times last night that Mr O'Keeffe, a deputy for Cork East, wrote to him last week saying he wanted to withdraw his resignation and resume the Fianna Fáil whip in the Dáil.
The letter was discussed at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting last night. Chairman Séamus Kirk proposed that Mr Kitt meet Mr O'Keeffe and then report back to his colleagues.
However, one prominent backbencher, Johnny Brady from Meath West, spoke out against an early readmission for Mr O'Keeffe. It was not immediately clear if his view was representative of other backbenchers.
Mr Kitt said that he himself could see no reason to prevent an early return to the party fold for the outspoken and independent-minded Cork East deputy.
"Since he resigned he has been a very steady supporter and a very strong advocate of the Fianna Fáil position in the Dáil. To be honest, I see him returning sooner rather than later," said Mr Kitt.
Mr O'Keeffe surrendered the party whip in late November during a two-day debate of no confidence in the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, which arose from the controversy over breast cancer screening in the midlands. He absented himself from the chamber when the vote was taken - in effect abstaining.
It also looks like the process to bring Mayo TD Beverley Flynn back into Fianna Fáil is moving towards a conclusion.
"She has also been a steady supporter of this Government in relation to voting since its formation," said Mr Kitt. "Issues do remain at the local level. But from my point of view as chief whip, I hope these can be resolved and she will be back in the parliamentary party before too long."
There were suggestions last night that the party may move to admit both TDs at the same time, but such a move might be resisted by Mr O'Keeffe, who would oppose being used as cover for the re-entry of the Mayo TD.
