PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has refused to rule out running for re-election in 2018 – despite a previous pledge to be a one-term president.
The 74-year-old head of state has received backing for a potential second term in office that would not conclude for another full decade.
President Higgins made the comments while speaking to reporters at a gathering of 500 Irish and Irish-Americans in San Francisco.
On the night in 2011 when he was elected, the former Labour TD said that he did not intend to seek a second term in office.
However, when asked again during his trip to the US, he said he was not saying yes and not saying no at this point, and would consider the matter "in the fullness of time when it was appropriate".
President Higgins said it was premature for him to decide now as it was just past the mid-term point of his presidency.
He said he was very happy about how his presidency was going to date and had received positive feedback from other heads of state.
The potential bid for a second term last night received the endorsement of Age NI, the charity in the north for older people.
Chief executive Linda Robinson said age alone should not be regarded as a barrier to a person’s ability to contribute and participate fully in society.
Ireland's oldest president was Eamon de Valera, who was 90 when he completed his last term in 1973.
"Too often older people are written off when in fact their commitment, productivity, skills and expertise make them an invaluable asset," Ms Robinson said.
"It’s important to actively challenge negative and damaging stereotypes like these and for people of all ages to see positive older role models demonstrating that later life can be full of opportunity."
Former SDLP deputy leader and Stormont agriculture minister Brid Rodgers, who turned 80 in February, said if President Higgins was healthy then he should not rule out another term.
"If in three years' time his mind is still sharp and his body is up to the challenge then there's absolutely no reason why he shouldn't run for another term – it would be ageist to suggest otherwise," she said.
Irish News columnist Brian Feeney said President Higgins had made a very positive contribution to Irish life since being elected, but questioned whether he could commit to another seven full years in office.
"If he still has the brain power and intellectual capacity to do the job then there's no reason why he shouldn't carry on, though I would wonder whether he will still have the energy required," he said.
"Another consideration as far as his age goes is that demographically the majority of the Irish population is under 40 and perhaps the president should of the country should better reflect that."
