Rumours abounds over successor at Aras

THE sudden official announcement that the President, Mrs Robinson, would be the next UN Human Rights Commissioner, triggered speculation in political circles about who would attempt to succeed her in Aras an Uachtarain.

The possibility that Mrs Robinson will take up her new role before mid September means the presidential election may take place at the end of October - a development that has put the major political parties on alert for a presidential candidate.

As news of the President's appointment broke, there was no indication that the parties would consider an agreed candidate - even though a presidential campaign would cost at least £500,000 soon after the general election.

The former Taoiseach, Mr Albert Reynolds, is understood to be very keen to procure the Fianna Fail nomination but sources said the party leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, would not address the issue seriously until after he was elected Taoiseach on June 26th and forms a new coalition government.

Mr Reynolds has been mentioned as holding a role as "roving ambassador/mediator" in the new administration but this would not arise should he pursue the presidency. In the event of another IRA ceasefire being in place, Mr Reynolds would be seen as a strong contender for the job.

Fianna Fail's deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, has said she is not interested in seeking the nomination. It will not be possible, given the new government's numerical strength, to allow the Dun Laoghaire TD, Mr David Andrews, to present himself as a candidate as Fianna Fail would not be guaranteed the seat in a by election.

Sources in Fine Gael last night confirmed that moves were afoot to come up with a candidate, but that several "lobby groups" would be in support of individuals.

They said they did not intend "to leave it to Labour on this occasion but the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, would not address, the question until after the change in government and his appointment of his new front bench.

The Dublin Fine Gael MEP, Ms Mary Banotti is believed to be interested in securing a nomination to contest the Presidency and she would have the support of her sister and deputy leader of the party, Mrs Nora Owen.

However, Fine Gael sources said the former minister and recently retired TD, Mr Peter Barry, should be invited to represent the party.

They also suggested that Ms Frances Fitzgerald, the Dublin South East deputy and former chairwoman of the Council for the Status of Women and the Women's Political Association, would also be interested.

Labour sources said the party had no candidate immediately to hand and that the matter had not been considered in any detail at this point. However, there is speculation that the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins, would be the party's candidate.