Fianna Fáil TD confirms contact with Byrne about presidency

A Fianna Fáil TD has this afternoon confirmed that informal contacts have been made on behalf of the party with Gay Byrne, regarding the Presidential campaign.

Limerick Deputy Niall Collins said that they came in the form of contact between Deputy Timmy Dooley and Byrne's daughter, and a phone call made by Fianna Fáil leader directly to Byrne himself.

Byrne said that he would rather be an independent candidate than Fianna Fáil's representative, but he is still deciding whether to be a candidate at all.

However, some Fianna Fáil members say that the party should field its own candidate.

Senator Mary White said that that Martin should not have called Byrne without consulting the party.

"If I was leader of FF I would be taking all these decisions in consultation with my colleagues," she said.

"I wouldn't be running off and promoting other people."