Green Party delegates convene in Dublin tomorrow for a vote on the party's position on the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
The Greens have for many years staunchly opposed greater EU powers, with current leader John Gormley in the vanguard. However, as last year's general election approached, and the possibility of entering coalition on the horizon, it began an internal debate on taking a more practical line on Europe.
Although nothing was agreed, the overwhelming support members gave to entering coalition last June was a further sign of the political pragmatism that began in 2001 when the party decided to have a formal position of leader.
This week, two of the party's leading lights, Patricia McKenna and Deirdre de Burca, took opposing positions in The Irish Timesopinion pages, with the former urging members to reject the treaty.
The leadership have proposed three motions - one in favour, one against, and a third motion that asks members to recognise that Ministers "are obliged by virtue of collective Cabinet responsibility to facilitate ratification of this treaty" but acknowledges the right of members to dissent.
Although all eight of the parliamentary party support the treaty, a straw poll of 21 of its 30 councillors in yesterday's Irish Timesfound 12 likely to vote in favour, three opposed and six undecided.
The figures suggest the leadership will get majority support but that the two-thirds needed to endorse their position will be tight.
The Greens are strongly protective of their democratic values and while rank-and-file have been supportive of the leadership to date, tomorrow's vote at the Hilton Hotel cannot be taken for granted.