One of Clare’s representatives in the European Parliament is not ruling out his presidential bid, despite trailing behind in his party’s internal selection process.
It comes as Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are all expected to name their preferred candidates in the coming weeks.
So far just Galway Independent TD Catherine Connolly has secured her place on the ballot paper, having already received the backing of 20 Oireachtas members.
While Nutriband CEO Gareth Sheridan, Entrepreneur Peter Casey and Tipperary Businessman Nick Delehanty have also declared their intentions to run.
The largest Government party has yet to declare its intentions, but former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former Minister Mary Hannafin are hottly tipped to run.
Fianna Fáil Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher believes it’s something that needs to be decided as soon as possible.
Sinn Féin is expected to announce its own candidate, but a front runner is yet to emerge, while for Fine Gael Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly and former Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys are battling it out for the nomination.
As it stands, Heather Humphreys has secured the backing of 47 members of the parliamentary party, compared to Seán Kelly’s nine.
However the former GAA President has told Clare FM’s Morning Focus that he’s not out of the race yet.
Listen to the full interview here
