Overview

• Mary Lou McDonald says the party’s participation would be a “game-changer” and will set out its position after an executive meeting in Dublin today.
• Sinn Féin has weighed fielding its own contender or backing Independent Catherine Connolly, with Pearse Doherty reported as a strong possibility if the party runs a candidate.
• Connolly is already supported by the Social Democrats, Labour, People Before Profit, Solidarity and several Independents, and she has said she would welcome Sinn Féin’s endorsement.
• Maria Steen has secured 11 Oireachtas backers, remains short of the 20 required, and is pursuing local-authority nominations, with Leitrim councillors due to decide on Monday.
• Nominations close at midday on September 24, the vote is on October 24, and results are expected the following evening, with Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin and Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys set to contest.