Independent presidential candidate Mary Davis today denied she was disappointed by her poor standing in the polls, insisting she was still in with a chance of winning.
Two opinion polls, published over the weekend, showed support for the former chief executive of Special Olympics Ireland had fallen to 4 per cent.
Speaking on RTÉ radio this morning, Ms Davis said the "feeling she was getting on the ground" was not reflected in the polls.
"The polls were taken at a certain time and polls go up and down. I'm spending the next few days out speaking to people and the feeling and the momentum I'm getting on the ground is not reflected in the polls. I believe I can win."
"I knew the campaign would be hard but it got to be very negative. I'm the best candidate. I speak the truth all of the time," she said.
Ms Davis said she knew the campaign "would be difficult" but found it "frustrating" that her integrity was being called into question.
"For example, the fact that I had only served on three State boards, and there was nothing about the 18 voluntary organisations that I had given my time and commitment to and giving opportunity to people who are marginalised."
Ms Davis reiterated that people with an intellectual disability would be directly represented on her council of state "with all the supports they need to perform their function given to them."
"I believe in putting together a totally inclusive council of state and I want to make sure all strands of society are represented on it and therefore I want to have a person with an intellectual disability represented on my council of state."
Ms Davis said she could bring a lot of influence in the Áras in making change happen. All my life, I've been working outside the system.
Asked whether she had ever discussed running for president with Mary McAleese when she served on Mrs McAleese's council of state, she said it had "never come up."