The Green Party should run a candidate for the presidency when Mary McAleese steps down in 2011, Minister Eamon Ryan said today.
The new Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Minister tried to win a nomination to run for the office in 2004 but his party turned down the idea. Mrs McAleese was later re-elected unopposed.
Mr Ryan said the Greens, who entered Government for the first time in their history last week, must use every election to promote the Green policy agenda.
"If you have a Green president, it says a lot about Ireland," the Dublin South TD said.
"I would hope there is a Green candidate. We know there will certainly be an election this time around and why not? I would very much encourage it."
The Greens are currently choosing a new leader to replace Trevor Sargent who honoured his pre-election pledge to step down if the party entered power with Fianna Fáil.
Mrs McAleese is currently one-third of the way through her second seven-year term as president.
She is also the longest-serving current female elected head of state in the world.
Last weekend, the Taoiseach also ruled out any interest in running for the position.
He said: "I don't think that would happen. Anybody who knows Bertie Ahern would know that I have the highest respect and regard for the office and role of the presidency.
"They would equally know that it wouldn't exactly fit the kind of lifestyle that I like to lead. I think by that time the Irish people would probably have had enough of me."