Frances Fitzgerald rules herself out of seeking FG nomination in presidential race

Fine Gael's executive committee is due to meet in the coming days to set out a new nomination process

Frances Fitzgeraldhad been mentioned as a potential replacement for former European commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who withdrew from the election yesterday on health grounds.

Former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald will not seek the Fine Gael nomination for the presidency.

Ms Fitzgerald had been mentioned as a potential replacement for former European commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who withdrew from the election on Thursday citing health grounds.

However, Ms Fitzgerald confirmed to the Irish Examiner that she would not seek the nomination, having declined to do so earlier this year.

The withdrawal of Ms McGuinness means that Fine Gael is seeking a nominee for the election which will happen in the next 11 weeks or so. 

The party's executive committee is due to meet in the coming days to set out a new nomination process.

Within the party, former social protection minister Heather Humphreys has emerged as the preferred candidate. However, sources said it was not yet clear if she would change her mind after having earlier this year announced that she would not be seeking the nomination.

Former minister for foreign affairs Simon Coveney is another name which has been suggested, though he has not responded to speculation.