Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has said he was not worried now that Independent candidate Catherine Connolly has the backing of every major left-wing party in the Oireachtas.
Mr Chambers is Fianna Fáil's director of elections for Jim Gavin in the Presidential Election.
Speaking on RTÉ's This Week, Mr Chambers said he had respect for all three presidential candidates.
"But my focus is on our candidate Jim Gavin," he said.
Yesterday, Sinn Féin announced that it will support Ms Connolly in the election, ending months of speculation over its position.
Sinn Féin joins a wide united left platform behind Ms Connolly that already includes the Social Democrats, Labour, the Green Party, People before Profit-Solidarity and others.
There are currently three candidates in the race - Mr Gavin, Ms Connolly and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys.
Mr Chambers said Mr Gavin "received an exceptionally warm and enthusiastic response at the Ploughing Championships during the week".
"He was back to his roots in west Clare yesterday, he is bringing a level of activism and energy, and I think would represent a fantastic president as someone who has demonstrated exceptional public service," said Mr Chambers.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Meanwhile, Ms Humphreys canvassed in counties Cavan and Monaghan today.
This included the official opening of Donaghmoyne GAA's new club rooms, an event that was also attended by GAA President Jarlath Burns.
Two other Independents, Maria Steen and Gareth Sheridan, are hoping to secure support tomorrow to run in the election.
Ms 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 tomorrow.
When asked about speculation that Maria Steen could secure support from a Fianna Fáil member, Minister of State Timmy Dooley said: "I haven't heard that but Fianna Fáil went through a process, we picked a candidate, and we have party rules as well.
"So any member of the Oireachtas that would sign a nomination paper for somebody other than a member of Fianna Fáil ... they would face the national executive.
"Rules are very clear - for a member of the organisation to support another candidate in a race, would see them outside the parliamentary party - effectively, immediately," he said.
@lawlor_aine asks Minister Timmy Dooley what would happen if a Fianna Fáil Oireachtas member decides to support Maria Steen's presidential candidacy bid #RTETWIP will rebroadcast tonight at 23:05 on@RTEOne #presidency pic.twitter.com/za7Vh409hA
— The Week in Politics (@rtetwip) September 21, 2025
Meanwhile, Mr 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 tomorrow, with Mr Sheridan's team targeting three in particular - Meath, Louth and Offaly.
