The Green Party TD, Mr Eamon Ryan has surprisingly withdrawn his candidacy for the presidency citing difficulties in obtaining the twenty Oireachtas nominations required and a lack of resources.
In a statement released following a meeting of the party's national council meeting in Clonakility, Co
The Green Party TD, Mr Eamon Ryan, who withdrew his candidacy for the presidency this evening.
Cork this afternoon, Mr Ryan said: "I deeply regret not being able to provide a democratic
electoral forum for the debate on Ireland's future direction which the Green Party believes is badly needed."
"A presidential election would be the ideal place to debate where Ireland stands in the wider world. It would also allow us to ask real questions about the quality of life in our rapidly changing country.
Politics is about promoting to the public what you believe in."
"The decision to run was not taken lightly given the immense personal risks such exposure
brings."
Mr Ryan's withdrawal raises the possibility that Ms Dana Rosemary Scanlon will seek out the twenty Oireachtas signatures required for her nomination. Under the Constitution, Oireachtas members can only sign nomination papers for one candidate.
Two local authorities are due to make a decision on Monday on a request from Ms Scanlon for support for a nomination to stand in the election.
If Ms Scanlon cannot secure a nominations it now looks likely the incumbent President, Ms Mary McAleese will not face a challenger. Both the Labour Party and Fine Gael have ruled out running a candidate for the Presidency.