Independent TD Catherine Connolly has said she will launch her presidential election bid next week.
The Galway West TD believes she has enough support in the Oireachtas to get on the ballot paper for the election due to take place in October or early November.
She confirmed her intention to enter the race in remarks reported by the Galway City Tribune.
Ms Connolly said: “Yes, my mind is made up to run.
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“I’ve support from across the spectrum, including the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Solidarity, as well as a number of senators and others. Labour and Sinn Féin are still completing their own internal processes which I fully respect.
“I’ll be formally launching my campaign next week,” she said.
On Friday morning, the Social Democrats confirmed their backing for Ms Connolly.
A statement said: “Last night, the national executive of the Social Democrats unanimously decided that our Oireachtas members will nominate Catherine Connolly for president.
“This reflects the strong support throughout the Social Democrats for nominating Catherine Connolly.
“Catherine has been a tireless advocate for progressive causes and we believe she would make an excellent president.”
Labour has invited Ms Connolly to address its parliamentary party next Tuesday as she seeks to gain its backing for her nomination.
A party source said that it was “positive that a strong left candidate has emerged”.
Party leader Ivana Bacik – who met Ms Connolly earlier this week to discuss the issue – is said to be well-disposed to her candidacy, though others in the party are unenthusiastic. One source said that some members would vote for “anyone else but her”.
Meanwhile, veteran Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher has said he is considering seeking the Fianna Fáil nomination to contest the election.
Mr Gallagher said on Friday that he has received a groundswell of support across the northwest since local newspaper, the Tírconaill Tribune, reported that Fianna Fáil grassroots activists in the constituency were encouraging him to stand.
“That report has got serious traction,” said Mr Gallagher. “My attitude is that Fianna Fáil should have a candidate. The party will decide that in the course of the next number of weeks.”
Asked would he consider putting his name forward, Mr Gallagher said he had never given it serious consideration before and would have to consider it.
“I have not decided one way of the other,” he said. “I’m obliged to give it consideration. I believe very strongly that the party should contest. we are the largest party in the national parliament and the largest party at local level.
“We have not had a candidate since Mary McAleese in 1997.”
The 77-year old politician is a former MEP and his supporters say that he attracted votes across all four provinces when representing the Midlands North West constituency.
He lost his Dáil seat in the 2020 general election but regained it in last November’s with he and his Fianna Fáil colleague Charlie McConalogue taking two of the five seats in the Donegal constituency.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former minister Mary Hanafin are also considering seeking Fianna Fáil nominations.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has not given any indication as yet as to whether or not the party will field a candidate in the election, expected to take place in late October or early November.
Candidates need the backing of 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities in order to get on the ballot paper for the election to succeed President Michael D Higgins, who will be retiring after 14 years this year.
