Galway West TD and Labour spokesman for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht Michael D Higgins has reaffirmed his desire to consider a bid for the presidency.
Speaking in Kilkenny in recent days Mr Higgins said he was speaking to a number of people, giving it consideration, and it was likely that he will make a further announcement regarding the situation in the autumn.
There has been widespread speculation in recent months in relation to the identity of the candidates who are vying to replace President McAleese when her second term ends in November of next year. Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly and Independent senator David Norris are others who have previously declared their interet in the position.
Mr Higgins received a rapturous applause from delegates in Kilkenny after he delivered a speech which urged onlookers to choose a Labour led Government which would he said deliver “a politics of solidarity which restores community”.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said Mr Higgins had not yet spoken to him in relation to the presidency but the party’s executive had discussed the situation and intended to nominate a candidate. “There would have to be a selection process,” he said, before stating that the executive will return to identifying a suitable candidate in the autumn.
