Mr John Bruton's leadership hopes have received a setback after the majority of Fine Gael members who spoke at a Mayo constituency party meeting on Monday night favoured his stepping down.
Six out of seven speakers who addressed the emergency meeting were against Mr Bruton's continued leadership, according to the constituency executive chairman, Mr James Waldron.
"Everyone who spoke was in high praise of John Bruton but at the same time delegates were of the firm belief that it is the time for change," Mr Waldron said. "Yet no mandate was given to the five Oireachtas members who will have a vote at tomorrow's parliamentary meeting."
Mr Enda Kenny TD, the party's spokesman on education and science, has indicated his support for Mr Bruton as leader while Senator Ernie Caffrey has said he will vote for change today.