'It wasn't for me': Senator Frances Black rules herself out of presidential race

Ms Black said she had not spoken to anyone in Fianna Fáil about becoming the party's candidate

Senator Frances Black: 'I feel like I have still got more work to do in Leinster House, particularly with regards to Palestine.' Picture: Sam Boal/Collins 

Independent senator Frances Black has distanced herself from suggestions Fianna Fáil could back her in the presidential election, as she fully ruled herself out of the race.

As reported by the Irish Examiner, several Fianna Fáil backbenchers were discussing the possibility of Ms Black running as a party candidate or as an independent candidate nominated by party Oireachtas members.

The senator had been discussed in recent months as a potential joint candidate for parties on the left to replace President Michael D Higgins.

The Social Democrats and People Before Profit announced last week they would back Independent TD for Galway West Catherine Connolly.

The Labour Party and Sinn Féin have yet to back any candidate for the election, which is expected to take place in October.

Several Fianna Fáil politicians said they would like to see Ms Black contesting the election, describing her as  “pragmatic”, “likeable” and praising the work she has done on Palestine and the Occupied Territories Bill.

Some suggested she would also be a good competitor for Ms Connolly, and could take votes away from her.

However, Ms Black has now poured cold water on the idea and insisted she would not be contesting the election.

She also told the Irish Examiner she had not spoken to anyone in Fianna Fáil, nor had she heard suggestions she could be supported by some in the party.

“Certainly, the Opposition parties had asked me earlier this year was I interested in running,” Ms Black said.

“I thought about it long and hard, and I decided no, it wasn't for me. I really did think long and hard about it.

“I feel you have to be really hungry for something like that and I wasn't.

Don't get me wrong, I was really and truly, really honoured to be even considered but I just made the decision that it wasn't for me for a number of reasons.

“I feel like I have still got more work to do in Leinster House, particularly with regards to Palestine.”

It was put to Ms Black that some in Fianna Fáil were questioning whether she might still be interested in running but was just not on the ballot paper because Ms Connolly had been chosen.

Ms Black said this was not the case and she told the opposition parties a month ago she would not contest the election.

Pressure is mounting on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to expedite the presidential selection process amid growing angst in Fianna Fáil about who the party will put forward as its nominee.

There is a growing feeling in the party Mr Martin may be the only person who will be able to win it for Fianna Fáil.

However, he once again ruled out the idea earlier this week during an interview on RTÉ.

Former TD Mary Hanafin wrote to TDs earlier this week expressing interest in running, but there is very little support for her.

Other names in the mix include Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan, former TD Eamon Ó Cuív, and footballers Niall Quinn and Packie Bonner.

The date of the election is still unclear, with Government sources saying there are no dates even being “batted around”.

However, there is a belief within Fianna Fáil that Fine Gael could want an early September election in a bid to galvanise support for its candidate, Mairead McGuinness.