Jim Gavin beat Ireland-South MEP Billy Kelleher in a vote.
Jim Gavin has been selected as Fianna Fáil's Presidential candidate on a margin of 41 votes to 29 over Billy Kelleher.
The Parliamentary Party voted in a secret ballot at Leinster House.
Earlier this morning, Jim Gavin and Cork based Ireland-South MEP Billy Kelleher made a final ten minute pitch to Fianna Fail members in Leinster House.
Shortly after 12-30, it was revealed that Jim Gavin had received the seal of approval by 41 votes to 29.
The Fianna Fail candidate spoke to the media outside Leinster House:
Jim Gavin will join Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys and Independent Catherine Connolly on the ballot sheet on Friday October 24th, while some other candidates could be ratified by local councils in the coming weeks.
Sinn Fein will also make its intentions clear later this month.
