Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has said he would have preferred if Presidential hopefuls were not getting endorsed "early on".
Mr Kelleher is one of two candidates hoping to secure Fianna Fáil's nomination for the Presidency - the other being former Dublin GAA manager, Jim Gavin.
"I think it's important to have debate, unhindered debate, so people can express their views favourably, they can engage with colleagues on an equal basis," Mr Kelleher said on RTÉ's Six One News.
"And then ultimately [I would prefer] that they would collectively make a decision in the parliamentary party after hearing the expression of views of the candidates that will be presenting."
He rejected the suggestion that a vote for him in the secret ballot of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party next week "is a vote to undermine Micheál Martin's leadership".
"I don't accept that," Mr Kelleher said.
"I was very clear at the outset, when I spoke first about this particular issue, I was very unaware that Jim Gavin had been approached by Fianna Fáil and had been in discussions with the leadership.
"I still believe there should be a contest, I don't believe in coronations," he added.
Mr Kelleher said he will continue to campaign on his record until the nomination vote next Tuesday "and I am looking forward to that intense debate over the weekend and right through to the election itself."
Asked if he "fancies his chances," Mr Kelleher said: "You have to believe ... that the colleagues will look at the various candidates, will look at my track record, the fact that they know me for a very long time.
"They know what I stand for, they know my values, they know I'm a good campaigner and I'm true to my word in what I say I will deliver on.
"And yes, I'm going in to this with confidence."
Bertie Ahern rules himself out of Presidential Election
Former Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern has withdrawn from the running to be the next President of Ireland.
In an online message to supporters, Mr Ahern outlined his reasons for stepping back.
Just last week, the Taoiseach from 1997 to 2008 did not rule himself out, despite the emergence of Jim Gavin as the preference of the leadership of the Fianna Fáil party.
In the message, Mr Ahern also claimed current Taoiseach Micheál Martin is "anti-me" and spoke of the economy and the Mahon Tribunal.
Outlining his reasons for not continuing with a bid for Áras an Uachtaráin, Mr Ahern said: "I suppose [Micheál Martin] saw in his view that there was a candidate 20 years younger and somebody from outside the party.
"In all my time in Fianna Fáil, I've never seen a period where the leadership really lose out in these things."
Mr Ahern also ruled out running as an independent candidate.
"As a former leader of the party, I respect Fianna Fáil and its legacy far too much to even consider that independent idea," he said.
"I've always been a Fianna Fáil person.
"I suppose the only area where [Micheál Martin] has indicated in the past why he was anti-me was the Mahon Tribunal and the economy."
He added: "I don’t think we can say too much about the economy because we were all in it together, trying to make sure the economy was the best we could.
Read more: Gavin, Kelleher in contest for FF nomination
"The reality is that the economy from ’97 to today has grown practically nearly every year bar the years of the international recession which was a worldwide recession."
Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin North-West Paul McAuliffe said Bertie Ahern "made a calculation" that he could not secure the nomination for president within the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
Deputy McAuliffe said: "Bertie's been around a long time, there's no doubt he would have been a hugely qualified candidate, he has huge international experience, and there's no doubt his work on the Good Friday Agreement would have stood to him.
"But he's made that calculation that he can't secure a nomination through the parliamentary party."
Deputy McAuliffe is backing Jim Gavin for the nomination, saying "you pick someone who resonates with you".
He said Fianna Fáil will support the candidate that it chooses in a secret ballot of the parliamentary party next week, whether it is Mr Gavin or Mr Kelleher.
Listen: Bertie Ahern pulls out of Áras race, would not run as an Independent
Nominations to become Fianna Fáil's Presidential Election candidate closed at 5pm this evening.
McGregor applies to address Dublin City Council
Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has formally applied to Dublin City Council to address their special meeting for presidential candidates
Its meeting is due to be held on Monday, 15 September.
The application was made to the Council this afternoon.
18 potential candidates have applied to the council seeking a nomination for the Presidential Election.
All will be given the opportunity to address councillors for a maximum of five minutes followed by questions and answers for five minutes.
Councillors will then decide whether to nominate a candidate and who that might be.
"As Lord Mayor of Dublin, it is my responsibility to chair the special meeting of Dublin City Council convened to consider prospective candidates seeking a nomination to contest the forthcoming Presidential Election," said Lord Mayor of Dublin, councillor Ray McAdam.
"I will ensure that the meeting is conducted in a fair and orderly manner, and that all candidates who come forward comply fully with the procedures and criteria approved by the elected members of the Council.
"This is an important aspect of our democratic process, and it will be treated with the seriousness it deserves," he added.
Additional reporting by Sandra Hurley
