Clare TD Michael McNamara has been given the backing of another senior Labour figure to remain among the party fold.
The East Clare TD is no longer a member of Labour's parliamentary party, having been excluded after he voted against the government's sale of Aer Lingus shares.
He remains a Labour member, however, and has said he'd like to run for the party in the upcoming general election.
His MidWest colleague, Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan, would like to see that happen too.
