Mitchell: Presidential race will not create divisions
The Fine Gael MEP Gay Mitchell has said the presidential nomination race between the four Fine Gael candidates will not create bitter divisions.
The campaign has prompted high-profile members of Fine Gael to publicly back certain candidates.
The contest has already re-opened old wounds from last year's leadership battle.
And the entry of Pat Cox into the race angered some members who were annoyed that he had been parachuted into the party for the presidential nomination.
However, Mr Mitchell said today whoever wins on Saturday will have the full support of the Party's members: "Whoever's picked on Saturday, we will get behind them, but if you look at the people who have been supporting me publicly, almost all of those have been from the people who have supported Enda Kenny.
"We're in Government now. We have a competition for the candidacy for President and quite naturally people are putting forward their case.
"But when we pick a candidate, that's the candidate we all need to get behind."
