MARIA STEEN HAS said she secured the support of ten Oireachtas members to nominate her as a candidate in the presidential election. 

The barrister made pitches to a caucus of 11 TDs and senators who have yet to back any presidential candidate today. The process was organised by Aontú leader Paedar Toibín, who is supporting Steen’s bid for the Áras. 

A candidate can secure at least 20 Oireachtas members’ backing, the standard way in for candidates from bigger parties, or by securing the nomination of four councils across the country.

The eight Oireachtas members who have publicly declared their support for Steen are Tóibín, Mattie McGrath, Joe Conway, Paul Lawless, Ronan Mullins, Carol Nolan, Sharon Keogan and Sarah O’Reilly

Tóibín said the other two Oireachtas members who have committed to supporting Steen have to speak to their respective teams first. 

Speaking outside Leinster House this evening, Steen confirmed she is “halfway there”. 

10 Oireachtas back Maria Steen for the presidency.

Steen says she is now confident she can get another ten to support her, which is needed to get on the ballot. pic.twitter.com/YQSCW3UJkX

— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) September 11, 2025

“I’m going to continue working hard to try to attain the other 10 votes necessary to get to the magic number of 20. I will be doing my best talking to TDs and senators over the next few days, and I hope to be a voice for change.”

She thanked those backing her and said that while many of them may not share all of her views, she described them as “true democrats”.

“They believe that the Irish people should have a choice other than an establishment candidate.”

Steen is also seeking the support of councils to get on the ballot paper. She made her pitch to Kerry County Council on Monday. 

She said she is “confident” that she can gain the support of another 10 Oireachtas members, and confirmed that if she does, she will stand down from the local council route.

“I can’t make that decision yet. I don’t have the 20 yet. I don’t want to count my chickens before they’re hatched, so I will keep going, working, talking to councilors and appearing at the various meetings that have been scheduled next week and so on.”

The only candidates that we know will be on the ballot paper on 24 October so far are Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, Jim Gavin for Fianna Fáil and Independent Catherine Connolly. 

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A number of Independent candidates are also vying to get on the ballot, with many making their pitches to local councils this week and next.

Gareth Sheridan did not attend the caucus event today, with a spokesperson saying that the businessman has always indicated his plan to pursue the local authority nomination process. He also addressed Kerry County Council on Monday. 

Conor McGregor is also expected to speak at a number of special council meetings in his bid to seek a nomination for the presidency.

He is among 14 candidates expected to address Dublin City Council’s meeting on Monday, with two other councils confirming to The Journal that they have received correspondence from him.

With reporting from Christina Finn