The outgoing IFA president, Mr Tom Parlon, is in discussions with the Progressive Democrats with a view to standing for the party in Laois-Offaly.
It is regarded as his most likely political option, although Fine Gael has asked him to contest the general election as its candidate in the same constituency. Earlier, Mr Parlon turned down an invitation from Fianna Fβil to stand as a candidate in Tipperary North.
Should Mr Parlon agree to run for the Progressive Democrats - and he still has not decided between a political or a business career - it would be a considerable coup for the Tanaiste, Ms Harney. And it would significantly improve the prospects of the Progressive Democrats participating in the next government.
Asked about his intentions yesterday, Mr Parlon said he had yet to make up his mind about the direction of his future career. The biggest decision would be whether he entered politics.
The former IFA president confirmed he was in talks with the Progressive Democrats about standing for the party in Laois-Offaly. But he said Fine Gael had also approached him and he had made "no decision as to how I will jump". It was 50-50 as to whether he would go into politics, he said.
Any announcement would, he said, have to wait until after January 15th, when he formally relinquishes office as IFA president.
Should Mr Parlon choose to stand for the Progressive Democrats, he would have an excellent chance of winning a seat. Ms Cathy Honan, a former senator, performed well there for the party on a number of occasions and polled up to 5,400 votes. He would have a readymade political organisation, apart altogether from his farming contacts.
Fine Gael invited Mr Parlon to join its team of Mr Charlie Flanagan TD and Ms Olwyn Enright, daughter of the sitting TD, Mr Tom Enright, in the belief that the party could win a third seat at the expense of Fianna Fβil. His emergence as a "parachute candidate" could, however, generate considerable friction within the local organisation.
Because of that consideration, Fianna Fβil, which holds three seats in the Laois-Offaly constituency, suggested that Mr Parlon should stand for the party in Tipperary North.
Mr Parlon has enjoyed a high profile as a negotiator and leader for the country's largest farming organisation. Recently he successfully lobbied for an increased compensation package for those farmers whose land was compulsoraly purchased by the State for road developments. And he negotiated with Ms Harney and the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, in the sugar beet dispute.
Mr Parlon may yet make his future in commerce. He said he had had inquiries from a number of companies concerning the possibility of his becoming involved with them as a director, a special adviser or a consultant.