Former RTÉ presenter Joe Duffy has announced that he will not be entering the race for the presidency, reports RTE.
Posting a statement on social media, Mr Duffy clarified, “to be absolutely clear I am not seeking a nomination from any politicians, local or national, for the office of president”.
There had been speculation in political circles that he might emerge as a potential contender for Labour or even Fianna Fáil, reports RTE.
President Michael D Higgins is due to step down on 8 November, and the election to choose his successor is expected to be held in late October.
At this point, no political party or organisation has officially named a candidate, reports RTE.
Fine Gael is set to open its nomination process on Monday, with Mairead McGuinness and Seán Kelly both considered likely to enter the race.
However, the party does not plan to confirm its presidential candidate until early September, reports RTE.
In recent days, both the Social Democrats and People Before Profit-Solidarity have expressed confidence that a candidate supported by the left will be on the ballot.
Currently, the leading figure for that potential candidacy is Independent TD Catherine Connolly from Galway-West, reports RTE.
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