Former head of the European Parliament Pat Cox has confirmed he has secured enough support to seek the Fine Gael nomination for the presidential election.
Mr Cox said he was delighted to confirm he had achieved the necessary level of support from all levels of the Oireachtas, the national executive and Fine Gael councillors throughout the country to allow him go forward to the selection convention on July 9th.
Mr Cox has had his nomination papers signed by 20 members of the Oireachtas, 30 of the party's county councillors and five members of the national executive.
"I would like to reiterate my gratitude for the welcome accorded to me by members of the party at all levels and for this encouraging level of support," he added.
Mr Cox, a former member of the Progressive Democrats, joined Fine Gael just last week.
Dublin MEP Gay Mitchell, Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness and former MEP Avril Doyle are also seeking the party's nomination.