Former Democratic Left deputy Mr Pat Rabbitte and Westmeath TD Mr Willie Penrose are set to form what is in Labour terms close to a "dream team" ticket to seek leadership of the party, The Irish Times has learnt.
Late last night Dublin North West TD, Ms Roisin Shortall announced she also intends to contest the leadership election.
Party sources confirmed that Mr Penrose is likely to announce today that he will contest the deputy leadership, and that he and Mr Rabbitte will call on the party's 3,600 registered members to support the other in the postal ballot which ends on October 25th.
The combination strikes a balance between urban and rural, Democratic Left and "old Labour" as well as contrasting political styles. Mr Rabbitte's style as a consummate national politician, parliamentarian and media performer would be wedded to Mr Penrose's position as Labour's outstanding constituency worker.
The formation of the Rabbitte-Penrose alliance and Ms Shortall's candidacy will ensure that Labour's deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, who declared his candidacy earlier this week will face stiff opposition in his bid for the leadership. Dublin West TD Ms Joan Burton announced yesterday that she will run for deputy leader.
There was speculation last night that Mr Howlin may now also seek to reach an understanding with a deputy leadership candidate in order to maximise his chances and neutralise any advantage gained by Mr Rabbitte from his alliance with Mr Penrose.
Wicklow TD, Ms Liz McManus is among those believed to be considering seeking the deputy leadership, while Mr Eamon Gilmore has yet to reveal his intentions.
Mr Rabbitte yesterday emphasised his anti-Fianna Fáil credentials, a position likely to strike a strong chord among many party members in the aftermath of the May election. He suggested that his decision to take a more hostile stance against Fianna Fáil before the election had been vindicated."Unlike others I am not surprised that Fianna Fáil's promises have turned out to be bogus," he said.
Ms Shortall said she would "re-establish the Labour Party as a strong and distinctive force" and take the party "in a radical new direction".
She would also seek to double the membership in the next five years.