DUBLIN, Ireland: Former government minister Mary Hanafin has confirmed she will seek the Fianna Fáil nomination to contest Ireland's upcoming presidential election. The Tipperary native and former TD for Dún Laoghaire told the Irish Independent she is "in the mix" and eager to serve in the important constitutional role.

"If I could contest it, I would happily do that," Hanafin said. "It's a role I would hope people could feel I would do well, both nationally and internationally."

Fianna Fáil has not run a presidential candidate since 1997. After a poor showing in the 2011 general election, the party chose not to contest the presidency that year. In 2018, it again declined to run a candidate, opting instead not to challenge Michael D. Higgins's re-election.

Hanafin, 66, believes it is time for a change. "I think it would be an insult to the office of president if the largest political party doesn't contest it," she said. "It's a really important constitutional role. The nomination should be decided earlier rather than later so a candidate can campaign properly around the country and engage with the people."

During her political career, Hanafin served as Minister for Education, Minister for Arts, and Minister for Social Protection. Though she previously clashed with Taoiseach Micheál Martin — losing a leadership contest in 2011 and defying his advice in 2014 by standing in the local elections — she says they are now on good terms.

Hanafin is the first central Fianna Fáil figure to publicly express interest in running. Others who have been linked to a possible bid include former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, former minister Éamon Ó Cuív, and MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú.

While potential candidates from other parties have been slow to declare, interest is building ahead of the election, which must be held by November 11. Fine Gael's MEP Seán Kelly said he is considering running and supports an internal contest to choose the party's nominee. "Democracies thrive on elections," Kelly said. "The members like to be able to exercise their franchise."

Sinn Féin has yet to name a candidate. Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill has not ruled out the possibility but said her current duties take precedence. Speaking at a press conference in Co Armagh, she pointed out that while she could run and be elected, she cannot vote in the election due to current laws. Sinn Féin plans to table a motion in the Dáil on July 1 calling for voting rights in presidential elections to be extended to citizens in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said people have encouraged him to consider running. "I'm going to take the time to think about it," he told the BBC.

As the race begins to take shape, candidates and parties are expected to clarify their positions in the coming weeks.