Despite claims over the weekend that RTE television presenter Miriam O'Callaghan was considering running for President of Ireland next year the 49-year-old released a statement this week saying otherwise.

O'Callaghan who was hotly tipped to replace current female president Mary McAleese when her seven year term ends in 2011 said while she was “delighted and honoured” that some people were considering her as a potential candidate, she will not be standing for the position, independent or otherwise, in the upcoming election.

Last week the Irish media began to suggest to the public that O'Callaghan would make a fine president however the chat show host said she values her "independence and impartiality" more.

"I haven't been approached by any political party. I would never stand with any political party, so that really wipes it out," she said.

After several reports appeared in Irish newspapers, O'Callaghan said it was time to set the record straight.

"Genuinely, my own independence and impartiality is very important to me. I've worked with that for all of my career," she said.

Some of her work colleagues said that O'Callaghan was as surprised as the public were when her name was thrown in the running.

"She was as gobsmacked as anyone else" about the rumors," said colleague Pat Kenny. 

O'Callaghan's statement, through RTE, this week made her position very clear.

"Miriam O'Callaghan would like to point out that, while she is delighted and honoured that some people are considering her as a potential presidential candidate, she would like to stress that she will NOT be standing for the position, independent or otherwise, in the upcoming election in 2011," the statement said.