Former MEP Pat Cox has launched his bid to seek the Fine Gael nomination to run for the presidency.

At a press conference in the Mansion House in Dublin he said that  it was a one-shot opportunity – and if he didn’t get the party’s nomination he wouldn’t go it alone.

He’ll battle for the nomination against long-standing MEPs Gay Mitchell  and Mairead McGuinness, saying that there would now be a dialogue  in Fine Gael between its heart and its head.

But he admits it’s going to be a difficult battle. Cox said: “I haven’t been plucked as some insider’s favourite. I stand with hope and humility and you can underline the humility bit, I’m weeks behind some of the others but I’m determined to do my very best to convince people I’ll be a good candidate for Fine Gael.”