Senator David Norris yesterday thanked those who urged him to run for the Presidency, but said he would not be a candidate. In a statement he said he was honoured that so many people had contacted him, while the Green Party offered its support, as did a number of his independent colleagues in the Oireachtas. "I am very conscious of the honour they did me in making these approaches. However, it is important in political life to be realistic and it is now clear that there is no possibility of my being nominated for the Presidency."
Senator Norris said there were four excellent women in the field and the Irish people would choose a worthy successor to Mrs Mary Robinson. He said the current process showed that the Irish people wished to have their voice heard.