At least 20 local authorities are expected to hold special meetings this month to hear from candidates hoping for a nomination for President.
To get onto the ballot, candidates must be either nominated by four local authorities or secure the backing of 20 members of the Oireachtas.
The window for nominations opens tomorrow - with the window closing at midday on 24 September, ahead of the election on 24 October.
Monday 15 September is expected to be pivotal for Independent candidates seeking to run, with at least eight local authorities likely to host special meetings for Presidential candidates on that day.
Dublin, Cork and Galway City Council have all arranged special meetings for 15 September with meetings also likely in Longford Roscommon, Offaly, Kildare and Tipperary.
"At the moment we have 13 candidates looking to present to councillors with Peter Casey the most recent to contact us," said Dublin City Lord Mayor Ray McAdam to RTÉ's Drivetime.
"I expect at least 15 candidates going before the 63 members of Dublin City Council," he added.
Kerry will hold the first special meeting on Monday 8 September, with 17 speakers looking to address Councillors, including Nick Delehanty, Maria Steen & Gareth Sheridan.
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael not ruling out Independents
Meetings are also scheduled or most likely at Donegal, Fingal Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Sligo, South Dublin and Wicklow County Councils.
Carlow County Council has invited expressions of interest from candidates while Mayo County Council is to decide its course of action next week.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors in several counties intimated they would not be whipped by their party headquarters to block independent candidates.
"We're used to not following orders!" said one Fianna Fáil chair.
"Both parties in Kildare are of the mind to sit down, listen and let the democratic process take its course," said Fianna Fáil Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council Carmel Kelly.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is expected to decide next week not to hear from candidates; while the Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council John Paul Feeley said he's couldn't foresee a special meeting taking place.
Criteria and time limits requested by councils
The Cathaoirligh of several local authorities intimated they would restrict candidates' presentations to 5 minutes with no follow-up questions.
Many will allow video or written presentations from candidates - with several special meetings on the same day.
The chair of one county council said they would request additional personnel from An Garda Síochána for when candidates are presenting.
Some local authorities are introducing criteria for candidates wishing to present before them.
Individuals will only be invited to address councillors at a special meeting of Fingal County Council on 12 September if they have already received the sponsorship of four councillors.
Those looking to come before Offaly County Council must have a proposer and a seconder.
Tóibín hoping for Aontú to nominate candidate
The Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín is also trying to gather 20 members of the Oireachtas to nominate a candidate.
Previous attempts by Deputy Tóibín to secure support for a candidate stopped short at just eight TDs and Senators, but the Meath West TD is making renewed efforts this week to gather the 20 names required.
"There are at least 28 members of the Oireachtas who I believe would select another candidate for the Presidential election. I'm very hopeful that we will be able to put in a selection caucus within the next 10 days," said Deputy Tóibín to RTÉ's Drivetime.
"The idea is very simple - TDs would come together, we would listen to a number of the interested candidates and that we would vote on the basis of PR-STV as to who we think is the best candidate and then we would agree as a group to nominate this individual."
Deputy Tóibín said he's likely to run the process anyway - even if he doesn't secure interest from 20 Oireachtas members - to "create a momentum behind a candidate so the last few remaining TDs are flushed out and have to make a decision".
He confirmed how three significant candidates are interested in taking part in this process, including barrister Maria Steen.
