Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said she would be "delighted" if Sinn Féin backed her campaign, when it clarifies its position next Saturday.
Speaking in Cork this afternoon, she said: "Certainly if Sinn Féin decided to come onboard with me I'd be delighted.
"I look on myself as a candidate that appeals to all sections of society...I think when I was elected Leas Ceann Comhairle I showed that I had an appeal across the floor of the Dáil. I would like to continue with that belief that I can draw people together in an inclusive manner," she added.
Ms Connolly currently has the backing of the Social Democrats, Labour, People Before Profit, Solidarity and some Independents.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said her party will disclose on 20 September whether it will field its own candidate in the presidential election or back Ms Connolly's campaign.
Watch: Connolly says she would be delighted if Sinn Féin supported her campaign
Asked if local authorities should vote to allow other Independent candidates enter the presidential race this week, Ms Connolly said she "wouldn't dare tell any elected member what to do", adding that she would "leave that to the councils".
She said, however, that there was a need for a "rational and reasonable discussion" on a process by which people can be nominated "in due course."
Ms Connolly she could not put a date on when a referendum should take place on unifying the island of Ireland, but added it was the "firm will" of the Irish people that it should happen.
"In my lifetime sounds very good. In my term as president sounds even better," Ms Connolly said.
The Independent candidate said people, including herself, have been "a little disappointed" that the Irish language has not featured in the campaign.
She said she understood that TG4 had decided that it would not hold a presidential debate, as other candidates do not speak Irish, something she branded as "the wrong decision".
Watch: Connolly would support holding referendum on unity as president
Gavin candidacy not a referendum on party leadership - O'Callaghan
Earlier, Minister for Justice and Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan said the selection of Jim Gavin as his party’s presidential candidate was not related to the leadership of the party.
When asked whether the performance of Mr Gavin might lead to a plebiscite on the leadership of Micheál Martin, Mr O’Callaghan said the selection process was "about how the individuals within the parliamentary party thought would be best placed to win the presidential election".
"The reason why Billy Kelleher did so well at the parliamentary party meeting was that the people who voted for Billy thought that he was an excellent candidate or that they thought he was a more deserving candidate.
"Those of us who voted for Jim Gavin voted for him on the basis that we thought he was an excellent candidate as well and had a very good opportunity of winning," he said.
