FIANNA FÁIL MEP Billy Kelleher is preparing to seek his party’s nomination for the upcoming presidential election, according to a party source.

The Cork politician, who has served as a TD, junior minister and as an MEP since 2019, is understood to have begun sounding out colleagues for support ahead of an expected internal contest.

The move comes as Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to outline the Fianna Fáil selection process in the coming weeks, with parliamentary party meetings scheduled for September.

While nominations have not yet formally opened, interest within the party has already begun to crystallise around a handful of possible contenders.

Kelleher’s potential candidacy is seen as significant, given his long track record in the party and established support among colleagues.

His entry into the race could shift momentum at an early stage and put pressure on others weighing a bid.

Among the names circulating are former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin, ex-ministers Mary Hanafin and Eamon Ó Cuiv, and a small number of other figures linked with Fianna Fáil in recent years.

Kelleher told RTÉ this week that entering the presidential race was not something he had planned, while conceding that he had been approached by those urging him to think about it.

The timetable for Fianna Fáil’s decision is expected to become clearer once the Taoiseach sets out the procedure for nominations and selection later this month.

Additional reporting by Muiris Ó Cearbhaill