Former minister Heather Humphreys is running a "slicker" campaign than MEP Seán Kelly in the race to become Fine Gael's presidential nominee, one of his supporters has said.
Ms Humphreys has 41 declared supporters, with some other members of the parliamentary party said to be in her camp.
With 59 members in the parliamentary party, that would not leave enough votes for Mr Kelly to reach the 20-nomination threshold.
Earlier this week, Mr Kelly said he had 12 supporters in the parliamentary party and was still "fighting the good fight".
Mr Kelly’s supporter said they thought he was a little under-prepared, compared to Ms Humphreys' "blitz".
While paying tribute to Mr Kelly’s very strong record, they said he perhaps lacked some of the "cuteness" of Ms Humphreys.
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said the contest within the party to be the nominee could last the full two weeks, unless one candidate drops out.
"Anybody who wishes to contest the nomination process needs to get 20 members of the parliamentary party to ... nominate them, to submit papers to headquarters by the second of September.
"In addition to that, they have to get 25 county councillors or city councillors, and they have to get five members of our executive council. That is the threshold that any potential candidate needs to reach.
"And on the second of September, we'll know how many candidates have reached that threshold. If only one has reached it, that person will then become the presumptive Fine Gael presidential candidate.
"If more than one has reached it, it will then go to an electoral college process," Mr Harris said.
PBP urges Sinn Féin to get behind Connolly's Áras bid
Meanwhile, People Before Profit said it will be difficult for Ms Humphreys to "extricate herself … from the cruel decisions of Fine Gael," despite being what they describe as a credible candidate for president.
The party, which is supporting Catherine Connolly's bid, also urged Sinn Féin to get behind her.
Dublin South West TD Paul Murphy said it is "doable" for Ms Connolly to win the election, while accepting that Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald would also make a credible candidate.
Mr Murphy said the polls show that Ms Connolly has the "best chance" as a candidate of the left.
He said he did not have any insight into what Sinn Féin plans to do, but the party has said it will meet next month to decide on its strategy.
Mr Murphy said: "I think this is a big opportunity for the left as a whole, including Sinn Féin, to get behind someone who is an independent, to show that we can work together in that way."
He added that if Ms Connolly was president, it would be more difficult for the Government to get rid of the Triple Lock.
The Government has previously committed to doing so, arguing it gives UN Security Council members like Russia a veto over Ireland joining peacekeeping missions abroad.
Fianna Fáil TD says Martin to run in election
Earlier, a member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party said party leader Micheál Martin should be the party's candidate in the upcoming presidential election.
The declaration was made by Carlow-Kilkenny TD Peter 'Chap' Cleere, who won a Dáil seat for the first time in the 2024 general election.
It comes after party MEPs Billy Kelleher and Barry Andrews called for an urgent meeting of the parliamentary party to assess the current situation in the presidential race.
There has been speculation as to who will run for Fianna Fáil, including the Taoiseach himself.
Mr Martin has persistently ruled out his candidacy, including as recently as last month.
"The overwhelming majority of people that I speak to are saying that the man who should be our presidential candidate is our leader Micheál Martin," Mr Cleere said.
"My personal view is that Micheál [Martin] should put himself forward to be a presidential candidate. I know he'd have a phenomenal backing of the parliamentary party," he added.
"I'd love to see [Micheál Martin] put himself forward," Mr Cleere said.
This is the first time a member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party has publicly backed Mr Martin for a tilt at Áras an Uachtaráin.
It is expected the Taoiseach will discuss the party's intentions by the end of this month.
The last time Fianna Fáil contested the election was in 1997, when Mary McAleese was their successful candidate, and there is an overwhelming view that the party should be contesting this election.
There has been speculation over other potential candidates, which include Ulster University Professor Deirdre Heenan, who has impressed some councillors in the party.
MEP for Ireland South Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has not ruled herself out, while there has also been some speculation around former footballer Niall Quinn.
It is understood that some Oireachtas members, including from Fianna Fáil, have reached out to former senator and Aer Arann founder Pádraig Ó Céidigh about a potential candidacy.
None were available for comment when contacted.
Sources say Áras polling day could be 24 October
The Presidential election could take place as soon as 17 October, but well-placed sources say they would bet on 24 October.
A senior figure close to the process said they were working off a supposed date of 24 October.
While a Government minister said they would bet on that date as well.
