Ms Maire Geoghegan-Quinn is expected to declare her interest in the Fianna Fail presidential nomination within days following yesterday's announcement by Mr Michael O'Kennedy that he is interested in the post.
Mr O'Kennedy told the McGill Summer School in Co Donegal last night that he would seek his party's nomination "in the event of an election". He told The Irish Times that he was in favour of allowing the voters to choose the next President but "if the party leaders agree on a candidate I will accept that".
Mr O'Kennedy (61), a former senior minister and EU commissioner, becomes the second declared runner for his party's nomination, following the launch earlier this week by the former Taoiseach, Mr Albert Reynolds, of his campaign within the party. Ms Geoghegan-Quinn returns from a holiday this weekend, and a declaration of her interest is expected within a few days, according to Fianna Fail sources.
The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, is expected to state his intentions within a fortnight. Many in Fianna Fail favour his candidacy as it would end the prospect of the party having to mount a costly election campaign that it has a significant chance of losing.
The party's director of elections in the recent general election, Mr P.J. Mara, said on Thursday that he believed Mr Hume was a better candidate that any other on offer from the political parties including Fianna Fail. His statement followed that of the Minister for Defence, Mr Andrews, who said earlier this week that all parties ail should support Mr Hume should he decide to run.
These comments are echoed privately by a number of Fianna Fail deputies who believe the party will find it difficult in the presidential election to lift its vote above the 40 per cent it obtained in the last two general elections. The party's candidate needs to attract significant votes or transfers from outside the traditional Fianna Fail vote to win.
Mr Reynolds, however, does not share this pessimism. In a letter to Fianna Fail TDs and senators earlier this week he pointed to his consistent lead rating in three recent polls. He also said support for Fianna Fail candidates in those polls was at about 43-44 per cent, and he believed a vigorous campaign would gain the extra votes necessary to secure the election of a Fianna Fail candidate.
Several party deputies, who did not want to be named, said yesterday that while Mr Reynolds had a very loyal following within the party and commanded respect for his role in the peace process, he would not appeal to many non-Fianna Fail voters. Ms aire Geoghegan-Quinn could win a certain amount of liberal and women voters, they believe. Some also suggest the former EU commissioner, Mr Ray MacSharry, as a candidate who could attract non-Fianna Fail voters for his record in Europe.
Outlining his claim to the nomination yesterday, Mr O'Kennedy said his national and international political career, coupled with 25 years as a senior counsel, were "relevant to the Irish people in the context of a presidential election.
"The next seven years will see major changes in our society, particularly in the area of North-South relationships. This is likely to involve complex changes to our Constitution and therefore leadership, constitutional knowledge and sound judgment will be required of the President."