Joe Duffy not approached about running for Áras an Uachtaráin
Broadcaster Joe Duffy has said that he has not been approached to contest in the next presidential election.
Mr Duffy was speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, after his final broadcast of the Liveline programme, which he presented for 27 years.
He refused to answer when asked directly whether he was ruling out a presidential bid or not.
"I had no idea when I chose today to leave that there would be lots of presidential talk in the air," he said.
"I was president of Trinity students union, I still have the posters. I was president of the USI, I still have the posters, but my face has changed a lot, maybe my intellect isn't as strong as it used to be.
"There's some great candidates already been mentioned [for the election], and by the way there was some great candidates before who didn't make it and that's the world we live in."
He said that his departure from the Liveline programme "hasn't hit me yet", and that he feels similar to his listeners in losing a friend.
"It was the listeners who made that programme, I was in the middle, I tried to mediate as best as I can and facilitate, but it was the listeners that rallied 'round and held hands and helped each other," Mr Duffy said.
The broadcaster also said that RTÉ's main job was to make programmes.
"We have to remind ourselves day after day, content, Irish programmes for Irish audiences, and stay focused on that."
"Our job here in RTÉ, and the State through the licence fee help us enormously, our job in RTÉ is to make Irish programmes for Irish people.
"And make them as unique and as entertaining and as educational and as political - not party political - as possible," he said.
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