Parliamentary party members: Progressive Democrat TDs and Senators believe a contest for the party leadership is now unlikely and that Michael McDowell is set to assume control of the party and take on the post of Tánaiste.
Several parliamentary party members said yesterday that the series of declarations of support for Mr McDowell, which most believed had been orchestrated to have maximum effect, had damaged the prospect of any alternative contender such as Liz O'Donnell or Tom Parlon building momentum behind a campaign.
Dún Laoghaire TD Fiona O'Malley said she did not believe there would be a contest, implying that she believed Mr McDowell would become leader unopposed. She said she expected the various possible contenders to make their decisions known over the weekend.
She thought Ms O'Donnell would not be a candidate, as she would not have strong support within the parliamentary party, and did not have the organisational experience and determination that the other two possible contenders would have.
Moreover, in a small party nine months before an election, organisational expertise was crucial, she added.
She said she saw Mr McDowell and Mr Parlon as the two possible contenders.
"I don't want to express a preference unless I know there will be a contest," she said. She hoped and believed there would not be a contest.
Senator Tom Morrissey said he believed Mr McDowell would be elected unopposed, and that Mr Parlon should then become party president in his place.
"I want to see Michael McDowell as leader and would be surprised if there is a contest. He will give a new focus and drive and clear away any cobwebs that have been on us in the last few years.
"I would also like to see Tom Parlon's ability used by making him party president. He would be in charge of getting the manifesto together and putting the party organisation in good shape, and would be very well suited to that job."
Senator Kate Walsh said: "If there was a contest I would certainly be backing Michael McDowell. I think we have the best Minister for Justice this country will ever see. I hold him in very high esteem and he has the qualities of a great leader."
She said she would prefer if there was no contest, and would fully support whoever became party leader. In relation to Mary Harney she said she personally, and the country in general, was indebted to her.
"When she inherited the monster of the health ministry, there wouldn't have been another woman in the country who would have done it. It is a monster out of control, and the amazing thing is she wants to hold on to it and put it under control."
Senator John Dardis said that as chairman of the parliamentary party he could not comment on which candidate he might support.
If there was a contest he would be involved in running it so a declaration of his preference would be inappropriate.