The presidential election race has been thrown into uncertainty by the shock announcement by former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness that she was dropping out for health reasons.
She said the “very difficult decision” came after a stay in hospital last week adding: “my priority now is my health. Given that the election is in a short couple of months, I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all.”
The Fine Gael politician led recent opinion polls and her departure leaves just one confirmed candidate in the contest, left-wing Independent TD Catherine Connolly.
Fine Gael is now scrambling to rethink its strategy for the presidential election, though the view of several senior people within the party is that they should still seek to field a candidate.
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While Fine Gael ministers were reluctant to comment publicly given the circumstances, a number of them did tell The Irish Times that they believe the party should reopen nominations.
Some in the party pointed to former minister Heather Humphreys as a potentially strong alternative candidate should she change her mind on her previous decision not to run.
Sources said the party leadership has been clear on the intention to contest the election and that position has not changed.
Fine Gael’s executive council is likely to meet over the weekend to discuss that party’s approach to the election.
News of Ms McGuinness leaving the race came on Thursday afternoon.
She said the decision was made on medical advice and “it is the right decision for me and my family.” She added: “I appreciate that this will come as a shock and disappointment to party members and colleagues in Fine Gael, but our political family is strong.”
Ms McGuinness said she had spoken to Tánaiste and party leader Simon Harris and she thanked him for his “support and understanding.”
She also said: “My focus now is my health and my family, and I ask for privacy in the time ahead.”
Mr Harris said Ms McGuinness has made “an incredible contribution to public life in Ireland and in Europe” and it was “the view of many people across Ireland that Mairead would make an excellent President of Ireland. ”Mairead’s health will not now allow this. This has come as an awful shock to us all,” he said, but added it is “absolutely essential that she now prioritises her health” and he wished her “all the very best on that journey.”
Mr Harris noted the planned meeting of the Fine Gael executive council but said: “that’s for the time ahead, not for today. Today I want to pay tribute to Mairead. I want to thank her for all she has done.”
Former MEP and Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald was considered a possible presidential contender until she ruled herself out earlier this year.
Contacted on Thursday about the possibility of seeking a Fine Gael nomination now she said: “I’m just thinking of Mairéad today.”
In May Ms Humphreys said she had given serious thought to running in the presidential election after retiring from the Dáil but ultimately decided against it as she wanted to spend more time with her family.
She did not respond to attempts to contact her on Thursday, nor did Seán Kelly, a Fine Gael MEP who had considered putting his name forward but decided against it.
A Fine Gael source told The Irish Times there is a “strong sense” within the party that Ms Humphreys is the “emerging favourite” to become its candidate if she was willing to change her mind.
She is said to be well-regarded by Fine Gael’s grassroots and its parliamentary party and there is a belief she would be a “good campaigner” with an understanding of issues around the country due to her time as minister for social protection and rural development.
People who wish to enter the race must have nominations from 20 Oireachtas members or four county or city councils.
Galway West TD Ms Connolly has the backing of the Social Democrats, Labour and People Before Profit.
Ms Connolly said her erstwhile rival’s withdrawal had come as a “shock to us all” and she extended her best wishes to Ms McGuinness and her family.
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are still deliberating on their approach to the presidential election and whether or not they will run candidates.
In recent days businessman Gareth Sheridan has announced his intention to run as an independent saying he will seek nominations from local authorities.
Mr Sheridan said “My thoughts are with Mairéad. She has been a great public servant, a dedicated MEP and EU Commissioner and was set to be the front running candidate in the upcoming Presidential election.
“I wish her the very best on her health journey on the road to a full recovery.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I was sorry to hear that Mairead McGuinness has decided to withdraw from the Presidential election on health grounds.
“I worked well with Mairead during her time as EU Conmissioner.
“I would like to take the opportunity to wish Mairead and her family the very best in the future.”
