Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell has pulled out of the race to be President.
Senator Craughwell had been the main agitator in favour of having a contest over the past number of months.
He has been calling for a presidential election for the last year, saying he feared people would be denied their say in an election by the main parties backing the incumbent Michael D Higgins.
In a statement this morning he said he felt a system that would allow the presidency to be rolled over for another seven years was profoundly undemocratic.
Senator Craughwell said he put himself forward as a candidate to make sure there would be a race, and he's happy now to have achieved that.
With a crowded field of independents now trying to seek a nomination, Senator Craughwell believes there will be a contest - but has said he won't play a part in it.
He's pulled out of the race, thanking all those who supported and encouraged him along the way.
He said: "To ensure that there would be a presidential election in 2018, I put myself forward as a potential candidate. In doing so I opened up what has been the first serious national conversation on the presidential nomination and election process.
"I welcomed the announcements last week that Sinn Féin is putting forward a candidate and that Fianna Fáil Councillors will be free to nominate independent candidates for the presidential election."
