Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy has said he would "seriously consider" running for president but criticised the process of getting nominated, which he described as "not very democratic".
Mr McCarthy, who is also the founder of the homeless charity Tiglin, said"people that I have never even heard of put my name forward".
"Anybody who knows me, knows what I stand for. Nationally, I would say that I wouldn’t be known but the charity I helped set up, Tiglin, has helped families from the four corners of Ireland… I have been involved for 20 years working in advocacy homeless," he added.
Speaking to RTÉ's Drivetime, Mr McCarthy said he was approached by a number of politicians in the Seanad and in Dáil Éireann about putting himself forward as a candidate.
However, he said it was "not possible" for him to gain the backing of 20 Oireachtas members, adding that "Catherine Connolly has sewn up a lot of the independent route".
"And then you go down the council route and you need the four councils. The problem there is that there is meant to be a Diktat coming from Fine Gael to say their councillors have to support a Fine Gael candidate," he said.
"Fianna Fáil, we don’t know yet, but if that’s the case, then that route is closed too," he added.
Mr McCarthy, who was elected to the Seanad earlier this year, said it is difficult for any independent person who does not have the broad support.
"For a democracy, it does not sound very democratic," he said.
When asked if he would run for President of Ireland, he said it would be something he would "seriously consider" if there was the broad support.
Mr McCarthy said he has also received phone calls from councillors to see if he would put himself forward.
"Without that broad support, who is going to put your posters up in Lifford, in Sneem in Kerry and also who is going to give you €500,000 to run," he added.
'Not very democratic'
Mr McCarthy said he has heard that parties have told members only to vote for their party’s candidate, adding "if that is the case, that is not very democratic".
The charity founder said he has talked to people in major political parties and would seriously consider it if he received their nomination.
However, he said he "has not heard back" from the major parties but has heard back from individuals within those parties who have the power to respond.
Mr McCarthy said he has called on the parties not to instruct their councillors to vote only for their party candidate, which he said would "create a level playing field".
"You need independents on the ballot, in order to make the presidency a proper campaign, you can’t just have it dictated by the political parties, that is unfair and undemocratic," he said.
However, when asked if he would be the de facto Fianna Fáil or Sinn Féin candidate, Mr McCarthy indicated that he would consider it.
"You need broad support, and unless you have that, then as an independent, I don’t think this would be a successful campaign," he said.
When asked what is next for him, Mr McCarthy said he is going to charge his phone.
"To make sure I can take calls from those parties," he added.
The former TD and MEP Seán Kelly have both confirmed they will seek the nomination. Ms Humphreys is said to have the backing of around two-thirds of the parliamentary party after putting her name forward.
Ms McEntee, the Minister for Education, said: "I've worked with her for many, many years and I believe she would make an excellent president representing people right across this country."
"I believe we are very fortunate to have two people of such high calibre willing to put their name forward in the first instance."
