It was held ahead of schedule when incumbent Mary Robinson resigned to assume her new appointment as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Reynolds was a former Taoiseach while O'Kennedy was a former cabinet minister having served in the Finance and Foreign Affairs portfolios.

McAleese was later also endorsed by the Progressive Democrats, the smaller party in the coalition government with Fianna Fáil.

Dana Rosemary Scallon received the nominations of five county councils: Donegal, Kerry, Longford, North Tipperary and Wicklow.

[7] He also received the nominations of five county councils: Carlow, Clare, Kildare, South Dublin and Wexford.