Two Oireachtas members withdraw Norris nominations

David Norris's bid for a presidential nomination was dealt a blow last night, when two Oireachtas members said they will not be giving him their support.

Independent Senator Ronan Mullen and Tipperary TD Seamus Healy have said they won't be signing his nomination papers, leaving only Shane Ross and Mattie McGrath to put pen to paper.

Senator Norris has just 17 of the 20 signatures required to gain a presidential nomination, so even if Mr Ross and Mr McGrath do declare their support for the Senator, he will still be one short.

In that case Senator Norris will be forced to go back and ask the likes of Michael Lowry and Noel Grealish to reconsider, or make a last dash to gain the support of four county councils.

Up to seven councils are meeting over the coming days to decide on whether to support Senator Norris or Dana.

As it stands, Senator Norris has the support of one council so far, Fingal in Dublin.

Meanwhile, The Irish Film Institute in Dublin will host a presidential hustings this morning.

For the first time in the history of Irish presidential elections, candidates will be given the opportunity to discuss the arts in Ireland.

Four of the current candidates will be in attendance - Mary Davis, Sean Gallagher, Micheal D. Higgins and Gay Mitchell.

The event, which takes place at 11am, will be chaired by journalist Olivia O'Leary.

Tickets are free from the IFI box office at 10am this morning.