THE Progressive Democrats will today move legislation in the Dail to allow for a Constitutional referendum to increase the number of ways in which a candidate for the Presidency can be nominated.
The Bill to amend the Constitution, which will be moved on the Order of Business, would means that a candidate could be nominated by not fewer than 20,000 voters.
Under the present arrangements, retiring or former Presidents can nominate themselves. Otherwise aspirants can be nominated by at least 20 Oireachtas members or by four local authorities.
The PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, said the referendum should coincide with the next general election, so that the new provisions could be in place in time for the Presidential election in November, but it may have to await the party's Private Members Time in the next Dail term.