The former Independent MEP, Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon, has called on the President, Mrs McAleese, to address the Oireachtas on the European constitution.
Mrs McAleese should use her office to "initiate a debate" on the Constitution, given that the Taoiseach would be endorsing it next month with her imprimatur, Ms Scallon said in Galway yesterday.
Ms Scallon is opposed to the European Constitution and may run on this platform if she seeks election to Áras an Uachtaráin in November.
She said she had still not made up her mind on whether or not to contest the office, but it is expected she will announce her intentions in the next few weeks.
If she did not stand, Ms Scallon said she would hope local authorities would use their powers to nominate an alternative candidate as "there is deep concern among many elected representatives about the assumption of European control which this new constitution will represent". She said that she had not as yet spoken to any Independent TDs or members of local authorities on the issue.
