Ahern and Harney weigh in behind McAleese

The Government has given its support to Mrs Mary McAleese in her bid to secure a  second seven-year term as President.

In a statement the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said Mrs McAleese had "truly been a President for all of the people and she can be sure that her campaign will have the full support of Fianna Fáil.

"Since her election in 1997, Mary McAleese has been an exemplary President. She is greatly admired throughout our country and abroad for her warm manner, her kindness, her keen intellect and strength of personality.

"Mary McAleese is an articulate, intelligent and determined person with a shrewd legal mind and is wholly dedicated to her role as President of Ireland.

"There is no candidate better qualified and none with the vast range of experience of the current President," he added.

The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, offered the full support of the Progressive Democrats to Mrs McAleese.

Ms Harney said the President had "played an enormous role in contributing to and shaping Irish society over the past seven years. She has become an icon of national compassion, inclusivity and understanding.

"She is a hard-working and forward-looking President whose personal courage and strength is an inspiration to all who meet her."

Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, confirmed the party would not put forward a candidate in opposition to Mrs McAleese and would not support any other candidate seeking a nomination.

"I believe that Mary McAleese has done an excellent job in the past seven years. Her warm and informal personality has brought a new inclusiveness not just to the Áras, but to the Presidency itself," he said.