Taoiseach Brian Cowen's consultation process with party members will determine whether or not he will lead Fianna Fáil into the election is coming to a close.
Mr Cowen spoke to more than 40 members of his parliamentary party yesterday, with most of the conversations taking place on the phone.
A Fianna Fáil backbencher this afternoon called on Mr Cowen to stand down and urged the party to rally around fellow Cork TD and Minister for Foreign Affairs Michael Martin.
Noel O'Flynn told RTE News that he believed the electorate had lost confidence in Mr Cowen and that he had told the Taoseach as much in a telephone call this afternoon.
Mr Cowen's contacted the backbencher as part of the consultation which is expected to conclude this evening.
The Minister for Children Barry Andrews said this afternoon he thought Mr Cowen would reach a decision very quickly and indicated it might come as soon as tomorrow.
On RTÉ Radio One's Saturday View, Mr Andrews, said he had spoken to him yesterday and expressed the belief that the Taoiseach wanted to do what was best for the country and for the Fianna Fail party.
He said he would be happy to see Mr Cowen lead Fianna Fáil into the general election.
As Mr Cowen's contacts with TDs continued yesterday the Labour Party announced that it intended to put down a motion of no confidence in the Government.
However, Government Chief Whip John Curran said that time would not be made available for the motion next week. The Labour Party would have to use its own Private Members' time the following week if it wanted to pursue the issue.
It is a departure from normal practice for a Government to refuse time for a debate on a confidence motion.
Fine Gael criticised the timing of the Labour move as "ill-advised and badly timed" and a spokesman said that the party would not make a decision on the best course of action until the political situation clarified itself.
Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin said she spoke to Mr Cowen early yesterday evening by phone. "The Taoiseach is continuing to consult with members of the parliamentary party and I am satisfied that my views will be taken into consideration along with those of my party colleagues," Ms Hanafin said.
The Minister declined to reveal what she told the Taoiseach but there was speculation among Fianna Fáil TDs that she told him it would be best if he stepped down as party leader. Speaking to reporters at the Young Scientist Exhibition, Ms Hanafin told reporters Mr Cowen's consultation process should be finalised quickly.
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan spent the day in his department. He went to Mr Cowen's office at about 7pm, where the pair held what was described as a routine discussion.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin did not attempt to contact Mr Cowen yesterday.
Mr Martin was in his Cork South-Central constituency, operating between his home in Ballinlough and office in Turner's Cross.
Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív, who has hinted he may put his name forward in the event of a leadership contest, did not speak to Mr Cowen yesterday.
"I'm more focused on the policy than the person. As long as the Taoiseach chooses to stay, I'll support him," he told The Irish Times.