Mr Liam Lawlor TD, who recently completed his second week-long sentence in Mountjoy Prison, has said he will make a decision on his future in public life within the next two months.
Speaking on Joe Duffy's Liveline show on RTÉ yesterday, Mr Lawlor said: "That's a decision I'm going to make within the next four to eight weeks.
"I'm inclined because of the tremendous groundswell of support on the ground and there is a lot of pressure on to run. People feel they want to take on the challenge with me and prove something. Then there is the family consideration. I'll be 20 years in the Dáil in mid-February, so we'll be making a decision probably soon after that."
Asked if he regretted the controversy over his return from New York when Aer Rianta board member Mr Dermot O'Leary arranged for him and his wife Hazel to escape the media, Mr Lawlor replied: "It was Hazel's choice, not mine. I don't mind dealing with whatever I have to deal with vis-a-vis media.
"I do feel that probably in more recent times the attitude of various responsible correspondents is now turning around to say it seemed a little bit of overkill from certain sections of the media."
On the coverage of his exit from Mountjoy, where he served the second time for not co-operating with the Flood tribunal, Mr Lawlor said: "I don't know that it's a massive newsworthy thing.
"Sean Citizen coming up to me in the village of Lucan seems to think that it's pretty much overkill, unnecessary and not of great newsworthiness . . . I have to say that I thought that [Irish Times columnist] Kevin Myers comments on Questions and Answers left a lot to be desired. He just got personal and nasty and I think the man could be a bit above the personalised comment."
Asked if he was hurt by all the comments, Mr Lawlor replied: "I suppose when you are in public life hurt is not part of the terrain. You are somewhat bemused by what certain organs of the media think is news."
Mr Lawlor also spoke about the controversy involving Tánaiste Mary Harney's use of an Air Corps aircraft to take her to Manorhamilton for the opening of a friend's off -licence.
"I know Mary Harney and everybody else in public life and ministerial office do have a very hectic schedule. But probably when you are doing something on a personal basis for a friend - and we've all gone and opened various locations for friends or constituents - probably you are better off to distance yourself from the officialdom side of the situation such as using aircraft."