A member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party has said Micheál Martin should be the party’s candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

The declaration was made by Carlow-Kilkenny TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, who won a Dáil seat for the first time in the 2024 general election.

It comes after party MEPs Billy Kelleher and Barry Andrews called for an urgent meeting of the parliamentary party to assess the current situation in the presidential race.

There has been speculation as to who will run for Fianna Fáil, including of the Taoiseach himself.

Mr Martin has persistently ruled out his candidacy, including as recently as last month.

“The overwhelming majority of people that I speak to are saying that the man who should be our presidential candidate is our leader Micheál Martin,” Mr Cleere said.

“My personal view is that Micheál [Martin] should put himself forward to be a presidential candidate. I know he’d have a phenomenal backing of the parliamentary party,” he added.

“I’d love to see [Micheál Martin] put himself forward,” Mr Cleere said.

This is the first time a member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party has publicly backed Mr Martin for a tilt at Áras an Uachtaráin.

It is expected the Taoiseach will discuss the party’s intentions by the end of this month, following a call from Mr Kelleher and Mr Andrews for an urgent meeting of the parliamentary party earlier this week.

The last time Fianna Fáil contested the election was in 1997, when Mary McAleese was their successful candidate, and there is an overwhelming view that the party should be contesting this election.

There has been speculation over other potential candidates, which include Ulster University Professor Deirdre Heenan, who has impressed some councillors in the party.

MEP for Ireland South Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has not ruled herself out, while there has also been some speculation around former footballer Niall Quinn.

It is understood that some Oireachtas members, including from Fianna Fáil, have reached out to former senator and Aer Arann founder Pádraig Ó Céidigh about a potential candidacy.

None were available for comment when contacted.