FF members barred from nominating any candidate for presidency

The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party has unanimously decided not to allow its members back any Presidential candidate.

A meeting of members finished in the past half hour.

It follows a row in Fianna Fáil over the party's presidential election strategy.

The news will come as a bitter blow to prospective candidates including David Norris and Dana Rosemary Scallon, who were hoping that individual Fianna Fáil TDs would nominate them.

Earlier today, Fianna Fáil Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú announced that he is no longer looking to get on the ballot paper for the Presidential election.

More to follow.