The Health Minister has appeared to confirm Mairead McGuiness will be Fine Gael’s candidate for the next President of Ireland.
It comes as MEP Sean Kelly said he won't be seeking a nomination.
"Having taken the time to consider the possibility of a run for the Presidency later this year, I have decided not to pursue the Fine Gael nomination".
The MEP for Ireland South, had been tipped as a potential candidate in November's election to replace Michael D Higgins.
Sean Kelly visiting Nemo Rangers. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock PhotoSean Kelly's official statement paves the way for Mairead McGuinness to be considered as the sole Presidential candidate for Fine Gael.
Speaking earlier this morning, Health Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, said she can’t wait to campaign for Mairead McGuiness.
"She has been a phenomenal community worker.
"She is somebody who understands the community, understands agriculture, understands financial services, understands all of the different aspects of Irish life.
"From high tech financial services to high-tech Agrifood.
"She has represented Ireland internationally in different ways.
"I think she's a phenomenal candidate and I'm really looking forward to campaigning for her to be Ireland's next President."
Mairead McGuinness served as a Fine Gael MEP for 16 years. She represented the Ireland East constituency from 2004 to 2014 and for Midlands–North-West between 2014 and 2020.
Mairead McGuinness is seen at the European Parliament in Brussels. Picture by: European ParliamentShe vacated her European Parliament seat in October 2020 to become Ireland's EU Commissioner, following Phil Hogan's resignation in the wake of the 'Golf Gate' scandal during an early Covid-19 lockdown.
Ms McGuinness took up the position of European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union in October 2020 until November 2024.
She also served as the first Vice-President of the European Parliament between 2017 and 2020.
Additional reporting by Stephanie Rohan and Seán Defoe
