Fine Gael has confirmed Pat Cox has secured enough support to go forward for nomination as their Presidential candidate on 9 July.
In a statement, Mr Cox said he had achieved the necessary level of support from all levels of the Oireachtas, the national executive and Fine Gael councillors to allow himself to go forward.
Last Friday, Mr Cox said he would be seeking Fine Gael’s nomination.
The former President of the European Parliament applied to become a member of Fine Gael last Wednesday.
The 58-year-old served three terms as an MEP for Munster - first with the Progressive Democrats and later as an Independent.
He was elected President of the European Parliament in 2002.
