Independent Senator Joan Freeman has written to a number of county councils to ask them to convene meetings so that she can seek their support her for the presidency.
It is her first public statement on her intention to run for the presidency.
She said that a presidency that prioritises the well-being of the nation, physically and mentally, is a presidency that delivers the best quality of life for Irish people, here and abroad.
Those interested in running for the presidency must be nominated by 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities.
Waterford City and County Council is to hold a special meeting at the end of the month to nominate a candidate to run in the Presidential Election.
The council is to launch a publicity campaign tomorrow to invite potential candidates to come before councillors on the afternoon of Tuesday the 31 July.
Galway County Council is to also vote this Monday on whether to give a nomination to Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell. If the motion is passed, Galway would become the first council to give a nomination - as it was in 2011 when backing Mary Davis.
Some local authorities -including Cavan and Kilkenny councils- have said they will hold a special meeting to hear from potential candidates- but only after the electoral order is signed.
Dublin City Council is exploring how it may hear from candidates before the order is moved.
Separately, the former president of the GAA Liam O'Neill says he's "seriously considering" whether he may seek a nomination for the presidential election. He told RTE how 'high-profile' people had approached him about running, and that he will make up his mind in the coming weeks.
