CHAIRMAN OF the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party Séamus Kirk is still seen as the most likely candidate to succeed John O'Donoghue as ceann comhairle, according to senior political sources.
However, other names are also featuring strongly in speculation, but Taoiseach Brian Cowen has been keeping his own counsel in the matter.
Mr O'Donoghue will make a formal statement of resignation when the Dáil resumes tomorrow and the House will then adjourn for 15 minutes.
At approximately 3pm, nominations for the position will be invited. Fine Gael is unlikely to submit a name, except possibly "for form's sake", party sources told The Irish Times.
Labour is also unlikely to put forward a candidate, since one of its own TDs, Brendan Howlin, already holds the position of Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy Speaker) and has made known that he is not interested in standing.
Senior Fianna Fáil sources said it was likely the party's nominee would come from a five-seat constituency as this would have political advantages in the next general election. Mr Kirk's constituency of Louth will go from four up to five seats next time and, since the Ceann Comhairle is automatically returned to office, it would be easier for his party to retain a second seat or even, on a good day, come back with three.
Other deputies from five-seat constituencies are also being linked to the job, such as Tom Kitt in Dublin South. A senior Fianna Fáil source noted that there were several past and present ministers of state with a legitimate claim to the job. But this source said it would be less divisive in those circumstances to pick the chairman of the parliamentary party.
Nominating a serving member of the Cabinet such as Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith is another option. But sources in the main Government party said it was unlikely Mr Cowen would want a reshuffle, even a minor one, in the weeks prior to the budget on December 9th.
One certainty is said to be that Mr Cowen will not nominate a member of the Labour Party, as there is some resentment in Fianna Fáil at Labour's role in unseating Mr O'Donoghue.
In addition to Mr Kirk and Mr Kitt, the lengthy list of names subject to speculation also includes: Fianna Fáil TDs Seán Ardagh, MJ Nolan, Mary O'Rourke, Micheál Kitt (brother of Tom), Ministers of State Barry Andrews, Seán Haughey and Martin Mansergh, Chief Whip Pat Carey, Fine Gael TDs Dinny McGinley, Michael Noonan, Michael Ring, Seán Barrett, and Independent TD Finian McGrath.
A well-placed Fianna Fáil source said there was a view that "we should keep the job to ourselves" whilst at the same time ensuring the nominee would be broadly acceptable to the other parties in the House.
Another party figure said: "You could make a case for about 20 deputies." The main Government party was "a bit traumatised" by events surrounding Mr O'Donoghue's departure.