Micheál Martin has ruled himself out of the Presidential election.

The Taoiseach has said leading this Government is his sole focus.

He wouldn't be drawn on who Fianna Fáil's candidate will be - but it won't be him.

"No, I will not be running for President, I think I've the honour now of being elected Taoiseach," he said.

"I ran on the General Election and I'd be kind of old fashioned, I sort of said that I'll be not just running for Taoiseach, I was running as a TD for Cork South Central.

"You make a commitment to people that you want to represent them for the next Dáil term."

This year Ireland will elect a new President, with Michael D Higgins's stint coming to an end after serving the maximum two terms allowed under the Constitution.

Main image: Micheál Martin speaking to the media at the Government Buildings in Dublin. Picture: PA Images / Alamy. Wednesday October 2, 2024.