 At the beginning of 1997, Bertie Ahern allegedly encouraged Reynolds to run for office in the coming election, and offered him the position of "peace envoy" to Northern Ireland and his support as a candidate for the presidency.Fianna Fáil won the election; however, Ahern, allegedly reneged on this promise to Reynolds due to poor election results in his constituency and the change in the political situation in Northern Ireland.Reynolds was still interested in being a candidate for the presidency, along with two other Fianna Fáil candidates, Michael O'Kennedy and Mary McAleese.