The three main political parties, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and Labour, have independently asked President Hillery to remain in office for a second term.
Taoiseach Dr Garret FitzGerald believes that it was important for President Hillery to know that he has the full backing and support of the three main political parties should he decide to take on a second term of office.
If the presidency goes uncontested, reporter Sean Duignan points out that the Irish people will not have had a chance to vote for a president for seventeen years if he remains in office. Garret FitzGerald, it is not usual to have an election for the office of president. What is important is that the citizens have an opportunity to vote in general elections.
Fianna Fáil leader Charles Haughey believes that Patrick Hillery has done the people a great service and that the hope of the party is that president would go forward for a second term.
Charles Haughey clarifies he is speaking only on behalf of Fianna Fáil and that the stance of the party on is separate to that of Fine Gael or Labour.
We in Fianna Fáil always made it clear that it was our wish that the President should go forward again and that we would hope, we were always hopeful that he would do so and that is still our position.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 27 September 1983. The reporter is Sean Duignan.
