Taoiseach and Tánaiste insist election 'all to play for' despite poll in Connolly's favour

James Cox

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the presidential election is still "all to play for".

That is despite Catherine Connolly holding a commanding 18 point lead over Heather Humphreys in Thursday's Irish Times/Ipsos poll.

Voting will be underway this time next week in the race to be the next president.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he will be supporting Heather Humphreys - and believes she still has a shot.

"Polls don't determine elections, the real poll is on next week. I think we know from previous presidential elections that the outcome varied significantly from the polling in advance of it... so anything can happen over the next week in that regard.

"That would be my observation of it, I think it's all to play for."

Tánaiste Simon Harris also insisted the presidential race isn't over yet, despite a strong lead in the polls for Catherine Connolly.

Mr Harris said he doesn't believe the Connolly lead is insurmountable.

"Oh god not at all... you probably thought Sean Gallagher was going to be president, I don't say that rudely because that's what all the polls and what all the pundits thought as well.

"What I do hope is that we have a really good turnout, I think that's really important. And I think there is a lot of people who are civic minded, who have never missed a vote in their life... but they might be sitting at home this weekend thinking 'I'm still not sure which way to go'."