Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has pledged to introduce legislation that would make the office of the President subject to the Freedom of Information Act in the interests of transparency.
Speaking to reporters at Leinster House this morning, he said: "I don't see any reason why the office of President should be exempt from Freedom of Information.
"I do believe if we are serious about transparency why would the most senior office in the State not be subject to Freedom of Information requests?"
The Longford-Westmeath TD added: "I am currently working on legislation, that I hope to introduce in September, which will see the extension of the Freedom of Information to the office of President."
He was also asked if his parliamentary party had lost touch with the councillors and party's grassroots given that some councillors believe the party should have contested the Presidential Election.
"I am a TD for Longford-Westmeath. We have eight councillors in Westmeath. We have six in Longford and they are no clamouring over me to say we should be running a Presidential candidate," he said.
"A decision has been taken. We are a parliamentary party. We are democratic party.
"The decision was taken by the front bench. It was referred to the parliamentary party and there was a decision taken that we would not contest the Presidential Election.
"I'm told that Eamon Ó Cuív was at both meetings and at no stage did he voice the opinion that he would like to be a contestant.
"From our perspective it is quite clear in the rules of the Fianna Fáil organisation that it is a matter for the parliamentary party to decide about contesting the Presidential election.
"That discussion has taken place and a a decision has been arrived at and we won't be revisiting it."
He said that four local authorities can nominate a presidential candidate, but if Mr Ó Cuív decided to go down that route he would not be standing as a Fianna Fáil candidate because the parliamentary party had decided not to contest the meeting.
President Michael D Higgins announced last month that he would seek a second term at Áras an Uachtarain.
Independent Senator Joan Freeman, businessman Gavin Duffy, artist Kevin Sharkey, former general election candidate Patrick Feeney and Athlone woman Marie Goretti Moylan are seeking support to make a run.
Sinn Féin announced last month that it would contest the election, following a meeting of the party's Ard Comhairle.
