Sinn Féin has announced that it will support Independent candidate Catherine Connolly in the Presidential Election, ending months of speculation over its position.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald confirmed the plans following a meeting of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle this morning.
The meeting took place at the Communications Workers' Union (CWU) building in Dublin, and came just days before the 24 September cut off point for official candidates to be confirmed.
Speculation had focused on whether the party may back Ms 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.
It had 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 a statement, Ms Connolly welcomed the party's backing, saying she was "heartened" by their support.
"I believe the coalition of left, centre left parties and independents backing my run for president is a welcome change for Irish politics," she said.
"However if I am to be successful I will be a president for all Irish people, of all political persuasion or none. See you on the road," she added.
Ms McDonald said the decision to back Ms Connolly followed an extensive, nationwide consultation process in the party and with other Opposition parties.
The Dublin Central TD added that Ms Connolly would help Sinn Féin to achieve their "two priorities" of keeping Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael "out of the Áras" and "getting them out of Government".
"This is, of course, the big decision to support a candidate from outside of our membership and to work with the combined Opposition to collectively take on the Government to give people a clear choice and to give people hope," she said.
Ms McDonald said the next president could be in office at the same time as a referendum on Irish reunification and "it is wrong citizens in the North do not have a vote for the president".
"We believe that this is an opportunity to elect an Uachtaráin who will be a champion for Irish unity in our time.
"An Uachtaráin with the vision for Ireland's place in the world, including our proud tradition of military neutrality.
"An Uachtaráin who will be a voice for citizens with disabilities, for carers, for the marginalised and for those too often ignored by those in power.
"An Uachtaráin with a record of standing for fairness, for compassion and for economic justice, and we believe that Catherine can be that Uachtaráin," Ms McDonald said.
She added that in backing Ms Connolly, Sinn Féin wanted to help create the widest coalition possible with other Opposition parties in order to defeat Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Ms McDonald also said that Ms Connolly is a politician from the same tradition as President Michael D Higgins and understands the challenges facing Irish people.
There are currently three candidates in the race - Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin, Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys, and Ms Connolly.
Fine Gael TD Kieran O'Donnell has said Sinn Féin deciding to back Ms Connolly shows that the main Opposition party does not have its own candidate for the presidency.
Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, the Minister of State for Older People and Housing said Ms Humphreys brings a wealth of experience and believes she will win the election next month.
The people will decide, he added, but Ms Humphreys has an appeal across all communities.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, who is a former Sinn Féin member, said the party’s endorsement will benefit Ms Connolly, but it's not a great day for Sinn Fein.
"When I knew Sinn Féin well, they were probably the most organised political party in the country, and here they are, in a very late stage, not able to field their own candidate in this particular election.'
Mr Tóibín said he hoped that Maria Steen, the candidate he is supporting, would have the support of 18 TDs by Monday.
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.
