Former RTÉ broadcaster Joe Duffy has confirmed that he will not seek a nomination to run for the presidency.
In a statement posted on social media, Mr Duffy said "to be absolutely clear I am not seeking a nomination from any politicians, local or national, for the office of president".
He had been viewed in political circles as a possible candidate for Labour or even Fianna Fáil.
President Michael D Higgins will leave office on 8 November next and the election to replace him is expected to take place late in October.
So far, no political party or group has formally selected a candidate.
On Monday, Fine Gael will open its nomination process with Mairead McGuinness and Seán Kelly likely to put their names forward.
However, the Fine Gael candidate will not be officially announced until early September.
Last week, both the Social Democrats and People Before Profit-Solidarity said they believed there will be a left-backed candidate in the presidential election.
Right now, the front runner for that role is Independent Galway-West TD Catherine Connolly.
