An opinion poll suggests Senator David Norris is the favourite among potential candidates to be the next President.
The gay rights campaigner and Joycean scholar is favoured by 27 per cent of voters, while Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness comes second, on 13 per cent, according to a Red C survey commissioned by Paddy Power.
It shows former taoiseach Bertie Ahern is third on 12 per cent.
The survey was based on a telephone poll of a 1,000 adults, aged over 18 conducted between January 4th and 6th.
Potential Labour candidates Michael D Higgins and Fergus Finlay split the vote between them, with the poll suggesting one of the candidates could take close to 20 per cent support.
PA