Sinn Féin is set to confirm who it will back in the Presidential Election amid mounting speculation over the potential candidate.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald is due to reveal their plans around lunchtime after a meeting of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle this morning.
The meeting is taking place at the Communications Workers' Union (CWU) building in Dublin, and comes just days before the 24 September cut off point for official candidates to be confirmed.
Speculation has focused on whether the party may back current candidate Catherine Connolly as part of a wide united left platform that already includes the Social Democrats, Labour, the Green Party, People before Profit-Solidarity and others.
However, it has been noted that Ms Connolly is due to be in Galway rather than Dublin today.
It has also been suggested that Sinn Féin may run a party member, with speculation over its finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty and its public expenditure spokesperson Mairéad Farrell.
In addition, while GAA president Jarlath Burns has made it clear he is not the candidate, a candidate from outside the party has not ben ruled out.
On Thursday, Ms McDonald hinted at a name, telling RTÉ Nuacht the candidate would have "a lán gaeilge" (plenty of Irish) and would be "a game changer".
Three candidates - Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin, Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys and Ms Connolly - are already formally in the presidential race.
Independent potential candidate Maria Steen currently has the support of 13 of the 20 TDs and senators to be nominated via the Oireachtas, and will meet Independent Ireland's four TDs on Monday.
Fellow Independent potential candidate Gareth Sheridan is seeking nominations via local authorities.
He currently has the support of two local authorities, but needs two more to become an official candidate.
A total of 12 local authorities will vote on Monday, with Mr Sheridan's team targeting three in particular - Meath, Louth and Offaly.
