Mr Albert Reynolds has sent all his Fianna Fail parliamentary party colleagues an outline of his vision and priorities for the Presidency, enclosing the results of an opinion survey suggesting he would win an election comfortably.
In doing so, Mr Reynolds has stepped up his campaign in advance of the expected announcement by Mr John Hume on whether he wishes to seek the post. Sources close to Mr Reynolds said yesterday that the former Taoiseach's letter should be seen as evidence of his determination to seek his party's nomination, no matter what Mr Hume decides.
The SDLP leader returned from holiday last Thursday and is expected to make his intentions known shortly. He could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
The opinion survey circulated by Mr Reynolds was based on a questionnaire which did not include Mr Hume as a possible candidate, as it was conducted before his name had been suggested.
Meanwhile, the former minister and EU commissioner, Mr Ray MacSharry, yesterday repeated that he was not a candidate for the Fianna Fail nomination.
In a letter to all Fianna Fail TDs and senators dated August 28th, Mr Reynolds says that as President he would promote Irish business and investment opportunities abroad, seek to establish an annual honours list and be a voice for the less fortunate in society.
He sent the results of a questionnaire which was included in the monthly "barometer survey" carried out by the research company, Behaviour and Attitudes Ltd, last July. The survey covered a sample of 1,100 electors controlled in terms of age, sex, social class, region and area of residence.
Offered a choice between Mr Reynolds, Ms Mary Banotti of Fine Gael and Mr Michael D. Higgins of Labour, 45 per cent opted for Mr Reynolds, 20 per cent for Ms Banotti and 17 per cent for Mr Higgins, while 18 per cent were undecided. If the undecided broke down proportionately, Mr Reynolds would comfortably be elected on the first count, according to the survey.
"As we all know, polls are more indicative than definitive in what they tell us," Mr Reynolds says in his letter. "Nevertheless, I thought you might be interested in both the figures and the analysis."
Mr Reynolds tells his colleagues he has been getting "an exceptional response from my colleagues and in addition I have been greatly encouraged by the level of spontaneous support from the general public, community and business leaders and international contacts".
He says the next presidential term must represent the Ireland of today: "A sophisticated, well developed, modern country, internationally respected, with a dynamic economy and a confident people. A different Ireland to that of seven years ago."
He pays tribute to the Presidency of Mrs Mary Robinson, saying that her "charismatic projection of this modern Ireland" has been the key factor in the development of national self-esteem. Now the country faced different challenges, he said, and he would attempt to inspire "all of the Irish people to meet these various challenges with confidence".
Abroad, he would be "an ambassador for enterprise and all that is good about Ireland". He added: "I would enthusiastically promote Ireland as a premier investment location and portray our people as progressive, well-educated, creative and industrious." He would promote Irish goods and services abroad, "opening doors and creating a positive environment for our entrepreneurs and business people".
He says he would use the Presidency as a focus for reconciliation at home and abroad. He would "listen to, empathise with and provide a voice for the less fortunate in our society" and would give support and recognition to the many voluntary groups in Irish society.
An annual honours list should "encourage and recognise excellence", and he would seek to have the Presidency empowered to bestow national honours on behalf of Irish society.
Finally, he said, he saw a key role of the Presidency as being "to encourage the empowerment of young people".