The selection of four female candidates for the presidential election has been welcomed by the SDLP and the Women's Coalition of Northern Ireland. The only other comment was from a unionist figure associated with Queen's University, who said he expected Prof McAleese would resign her position in the university because of her association with Fianna Fail.
Ms Brid Rodgers, the SDLP's spokeswoman on women's affairs and a delegate at the Stormont talks, said she was delighted there were four female candidates for the Presidency.
"I think it is very good news for Ireland. Ireland is clearly giving a lead, in that it has produced four women with unique abilities in their own spheres to run for the Presidency.
"I think Mary Robinson has clearly redefined the role of the office. I hope whoever is elected will continue the excellent work Mary did in representing the country. I wish them all well."
The Women's Coalition has welcomed the "historic" fact that all the candidates for the Presidency are women but did not endorse any one of the candidates.
Ms Monica McWilliams, leader of the coalition and a representative at the Stormont talks, said they were surprised but pleased at the outcome of the Fianna Fail selection.
"We welcome the fact that the next President will be a woman. It is historic in the sense that who would ever have thought we would see a presidential election in such a conservative country where all the candidates are women," she said.
The Women's Coalition did not want to comment on the merits of the candidates as it did not wish to be seen to be canvassing for anyone in particular. It is understood the coalition had discussed either proposing a candidate or supporting a woman's candidacy late last month but chose not to become involved in the election.
The initial unionist reaction to Prof McAleese's nomination was that it meant she should forfeit her position as director of the Legal Studies Institute at Queen's.
Mr Steven King, of the Ulster Unionist Graduates Association, said Prof McAleese had "nailed her colours to the republican mast". He said she had made clear her nationalist opinions in articles and elsewhere and she was "incapable of promoting reconciliation between the two traditions on this island".
He added: "Many Queen's students, staff and graduates will welcome this news. Prof McAleese has at last shown her true colours having obtained the nomination of Fianna Fail, the republican party.
"She gave a commitment upon her appointment as Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies that she would cease her involvement in politics. I trust that, win or lose the Presidency, she will play no further part in academic life at Queen's University."
The National Women's Council of Ireland said the emergence of four women candidates shows that the success of Mrs Robinson in 1990 "served to create a new and lasting openness around the office". The council's chairwoman, Ms Noreen Byrne, said each of the women would "bring a distinctive voice to the campaign and give people real choice in who they wish to hold the office of President".