Derry businessman Peter Casey has announced he is considering dropping out of the presidential race amid criticism of comments about the Traveller community.
The businessman has come under fire after saying Travellers should not be recognised as an ethnic minority because they are "basically people camping in someone else's land", and claiming the group are "not paying their fair share of taxes in society".
In a statement today, Mr Casey said that in light of the furore over his comments, he will take the weekend off from the campaign "to think carefully about whether to continue in the race" ahead of the election next week.
He added: "I do not want the people of Ireland to elect me as president of Ireland just based on one statement I made.
"I know that my world experience and global views will make me a uniquely suitable candidate for president of Ireland - with drive, ability and energy."
On Wednesday night during a live televised debate on Virgin Media One, he told the other candidates they were being "disingenuous" when they said they would have no issues living near a halting site.
The following day, he visited the site of a disputed housing development in Tipperary, where Travellers, who have been in the area for four generations, refused houses because of a lack of grazing space for their horses.
Mr Casey attended the site with the nation's media, but did not speak to any of the Traveller community who were nearby.
Reacting to his statement today, President Michael D Higgins - who is standing for re-election and is favourite in the polls - said that he thought it was good to reflect on what had happened.
"I do wish him well. He knows very well my reaction to the remarks he made about the Travelling community, I regard it as appalling," he said.
Meanwhile, on running for a second term, President Higgins said: "I changed my mind... I had sectors and groups saying to me they were very happy with the way I was running the presidency."
The election is to take place on October 26.
