Former taoiseach John Bruton, has ruled himself out of the race to become the next president.
The former EU ambassador to Washington and current vice-president of the Fine Gael party said that while he had been flattered to have been approached by the party in connection with the presidency, he said he would not be putting his name forward.
In a statement Mr Bruton denied that he had looked for the role of presidency to be reformed to allow for extended powers.
In recent days, there had been speculation within the party that the former leader was looking for a coronation with one source deriding him as a "diva" who wanted to be "coaxed".
The Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said this week he "has always said that he hasn't huge enthusiasm to be President of Ireland".
However, Mr Bruton, who continues to be a commentator in public life, through his role as president of IFSC Ireland, had come under pressure to reconsider.