Fianna Fáil councillors will not be ordered to oppose independent candidates who are seeking to acquire a presidential nomination via local authorities.
The Fianna Fáil National Executive decided last night that party councillors would instead be asked to "do everything they can" to support the candidacy of Jim Gavin.
It had been anticipated that Fianna Fáil might adopt the same strategy as Fine Gael, which is applying the whip to its councillors to oppose facilitating independent nominations.
The national executive decision follows disquiet with some councillors about how Fianna Fáil selected Jim Gavin as the leadership's favoured candidate.
Yesterday, the party whip on Cork County Council, Deirdre Kelly, urged the party to reconsider how it selected its presidential candidate in future, as it did not foster the necessary engagement with local authority members.
She said what had happened was disappointing, and there had been "missed opportunities" to promote inclusive participation which risked alienating both councillors and party members.
Read more: How do local authorities nominate a presidential candidate?
Fine Gael councillors instructed to block nomination of independents
Earlier, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party councillors would not be ordered what to do in such ballots.
"Our councillors are very sensible people with a lot of cop on. They will go to their meetings. They will listen. They will hear what people have to say," she said.
Earlier this week, Ms McDonald ruled herself out of running in the Presidential Election.
