Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said the party should nominate a candidate or back another to be President of Ireland.
Mr Adams told 2,000 supporters at an Ard Fheis in Belfast tonight that Sinn Féin wants wealth taxes introduced instead of further cuts on distressed families.
He accused Fine Gael and Labour of ploughing ahead with their "Slíebhín" policies of funding banks and slashing public spending.
Mr Adams added that a United Ireland is more than ever possible and called on Republicans to reach out to Unionists to "build a new republic and live in peace".
He announced the party would make a decision next week on whether to field a candidate in the Presidential election.