INDEPENDENT SENATOR JOAN Freeman has written to a number of county councils seeking their support for the presidency.

While there had been speculation that she intended to run, this is her first public statement on the matter.

In her letter to the councils, she said the reason that she is seeking their nomination is that she believes a presidency which “priorities the well-being of the nation, physically and mentally, is a presidency that delivers the best quality of life for Irish people here and abroad”.

With the improvements in the economy, came improvements in technology, and while she said this progress has improved the lives of many, it has also made people, particularly young people, more isolated.

The founder of Pieta House said it is her lifelong ambition to “deliver a better quality of life”.

In her letter to councillors, she pledged to deliver a new civic society initiative which would encourage people to volunteer and give back to their communities,

She asked councillor’s to convene a meeting to discuss the possibility of supporting her candidacy.

Anyone interested in running for the presidency must be nominated by 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities.

A number of people have indicated they are interested in running for the Office of President of Ireland.

So far, independent senator Gerard Craughwell has thrown his hat in the ring.

The former Presidential candidate, Sean Gallagher, who lost out to Higgins in the 2011 election, has written to all of the councils in Ireland asking that they formally set aside time to discuss nominations for the president of Ireland.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael has said it would back President Michael D Higgins for re-election. Sinn Féin has said it will contest the presidential election, but no candidate has been announced.