Catherine Connolly has confirmed she's entering the race to be the next President of Ireland.
The Independent TD so far has the backing of twelve Social Democrats TDs, two People Before Profits TDs, and a number of fellow Independents.
She told RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta this morning that she had taken her time to make up her mind and messages from supporters helped her reach the decision.
The 68-year-old has served as a TD for the Galway West constituency since 2016, while she was elected as Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann in 2020, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
Before becoming an Independent, Deputy Connolly resigned from the Labour Party in 2006. It's after she was denied her wish to contest Galway West as the running mate of Michael D Higgins.
She's a barrister by profession, and also worked as a clinical psychologist, before entering the world of politics.
Deputy Connolly is the second contender to enter the race after Fine Gael confirmed its candidate yesterday afternoon.
Former MEP and EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness was officially nominated to contest the election for Fine Gael.
She was the only person to contest to party's nomination, and her name will no go forward for ratification at a party event in September.
An election to replace Michael D Higgins must be held between September 13th and November 10th of this year.
President Higgins has been the resident of Áras an Uachtaráin since 2011, comfortably topping the poll then, and seven years later in 2018.
Here's the complete list of who has served as President of Ireland:
