Councils to decide on Dana nomination

Several county councils throughout the country are due to make a decision today on whether or not to support Rosemary Dana Scallon's bid for a presidential nomination.

At least nine councils have already declined to nominate the former Connacht-Ulster MEP for the presidency, but she has refused to give up the battle.

Today would appear to be her final chance to get her name on the ballot paper as the deadline for nominations expires on Friday.

She needs the backing of four councils or 20 members of the Oireachtas in order to enter the race, but Fianna Fáil is backing Mary McAleese and Fine Gael has ordered its councillors not to support Dana.