Overview

• Mairead McGuinness withdrew from the race on medical advice following a recent hospital stay, citing her health and family priorities.
• Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and Director of Elections Martin Heydon confirmed the party’s Executive Council will convene in the coming days to select a new nominee.
• Independent TD Catherine Connolly, backed by the Social Democrats, Labour and People Before Profit, remains the only credible declared candidate.
• Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have not yet decided whether to field nominees and are expected to choose candidates in the weeks ahead.
• Potential replacements include former MEP Seán Kelly, ex-ministers Frances Fitzgerald and Heather Humphreys, and entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan.