President Michael D Higgins would attract "cross-party" support if he decides to seek a second seven-year term in Áras an Uachtaráin, Fine Gael Minister Leo Varadkar has said.

Praising Mr Higgins's performance, the Minister for Social Protection said he would enjoy "enormous support" for a second term – a view echoed recently by Labour leader Brendan Howlin.

Now 75, Mr Higgins said he would serve only one term in the Áras when he ran as a Labour candidate in 2011, though he left the option open when he was asked about it recently.

A presidential election is due in November 2018, which means Mr Higgins, who received standing ovations recently at a major humanitarian summit in Istanbul, would be 84 if he completed a second term.

‘Excellent’

“I think the current President is making an excellent President, the first issue would be whether he wants to seek a second term or not and if he did, he’d have enormous support,” Mr Varadkar said.

Under presidential election rules, candidates need support from 20 Oireachtas members – either TDs or senators – or from four local authorities, but an election can be avoided if parties agree.

“Whether he would be unopposed or not, that’s a matter for others but I think that if he were to seek a second term, he would have very strong cross-party support,” Mr Varadkar said.

However, Independent TD and Minister of State for Health Finian McGrath said that while he has “great time” for the President, he disagrees with consensus candidates.

Fianna Fáil says it will consider the matter "in due course". A spokesman for Mr Higgins declined to comment. A presidential election costs about €500,000.