The National Executive Committee of the Labour Party has decided against contesting the presidential election.
The Committee met in Leinster House this afternoon for three hours and decided by a single vote against backing former Labour cabinet minister Mr Michael D Higgins as a candidate .
Party leader Mr Pat Rabitte denied that the closeness of the vote meant there was a split in Labour over whether to fight the election.
"I think it's very encouraging that there was a real debate," said Mr Rabitte.
"People held different views on the issue, largely I think, based on the availability of Mr Micheal D Higgins. I think members of the Executive like the Parliamentary Party hold Michael D in high esteem. We are very fortunate to have someone of his calibre as a standard bearer for the party. I think that motivated a lot of people rather than other political priorities about contesting this Presidential election at this time," he added.
Mr Rabitte said there was no discussion at the meeting on whether to support Green Party TD Mr Eamon Ryan's attempt to run for the presidency as he had not received a formal approach from the party, but that it would not stand in his way.
"I do not intend to decline any request that would facilitate the entry into the field by a candidate who has broad agreement with the Labout Party on certain issues,"said Mr Rabitte. "We were concerned with making the decision on behalf of the Labour Party and we have now made that decision,"
Mr Higgins addressed this afternoon's meeting in an effort to persuade the National Executive Committee to overturn the recommendation of the party's TDs and senators. He said he was glad to be able to address the committee to remove "extraneous issues" such as his health from the debate. Mr Higgins underwent knee replacement surgery over the summer.
Yesterday, Mr Higgins failed to get the Labour Parliamentary Party meeting in Wexford to back his nomination.
The Parliamentary Party decided by a majority of two to one to recommend that Labour should not put forward a candidate for the election, but the National Executive Committee was not obliged to accept that recommendation.
Assuming that additional candidates to President Mary McAleese are nominated, the election will take place on Friday, October 22nd. Nominations must be received by Friday, October 1st.