Broadcaster Gay Byrne has responded to speculation about his entering the race for the Presidency.
In an interview with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio, Mr Byrne questioned whether at his time of life he had need of embarking on a nationwide campaign tour to secure votes.
The 77-year-old said he would rather continue with this broadcasting career.
However, he said that if the ‘mass of Irish people’ demanded he be the next President he would have to seriously consider it, as it would be ‘extremely demeaning and rude to the office of President’ not to.
‘If somebody can convince me that the mass of the Irish people are clamouring for Gay to be President, I would have to listen to the clamour,’ he said.
But the former ‘Late Late Show’ presenter insisted that he did not believe this was the case at the moment.
Mr Byrne speculated that his emergence as a possible candidate was borne out of a feeling held by the electorate that Independent Senator David Norris was somehow dumped out of the race for the Arás through ‘underhanded’ means.
He also suggested that the preference for an Independent candidate was linked to voter frustration with the political parties.
He said he was flattered by the support he has received, but he said he has not been approached about the issue by anyone.
He said he attached ‘very little importance to any of these things, at this time’.
Mr Byrne added that he did not believe that age was an issue, but said his family would have to be consulted about any possible bid.
