Labour tight-lipped on President race plans

The Labour Party will decide today whether or not there will be a presidential contest in the country next month.

Members of the party were tight-lipped this morning ahead of a crucial meeting to decide on whether they would back Green Party candidate Eamon Ryan, or field their own.

Speaking at the Ferrycarrig Hotel in Wexford, party leader Pat Rabbitte refused to speculate on what recommendation the 21 TDs and five senators would make to the national executive meeting tomorrow.

Mr Rabbitte said: “There is a full party process to go through and we must not pre-judge that.”

A decision will be made at about 3pm.

The 30-member national executive includes parliamentary party members, local councillors and delegates elected by the party. It is chaired by Kerry South TD Breeda Moynihan-Cronin and also includes party president Michael D Higgins.

Earlier, Mr Rabbitte reiterated his view that Deputy Ryan was one of the best new TDs to enter the Dail in 2002.

He said: “He’s young and energetic and a very capable politician.”

However, the party leader also praised Deputy Higgins, who had been expected to run for the presidency. He said: “He has a distinguished political track record and was very impressive as Minister of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht during the Rainbow Coalition.”

Deputy Higgins had always signalled his intention to run for the presidency, but party sources believed he may have lost enthusiasm after two operations this summer and the decision by president Mary McAleese to nominate herself to run again.