The way is paved for Dún Laoghaire TD Eamon Gilmore to become the next leader of the Labour Party following the announcement by Wicklow TD Liz McManus that she would not be contesting the leadership election.
Dublin North East TD Tommy Broughan is the only deputy still considering entering the leadership race, but sources said yesterday he is unlikely to declare. He is expected to make an announcement today.
The Labour Party national executive committee met in Dublin on Saturday, and set Thursday, September 6th, as the deadline for close of nominations for the leadership and deputy leadership.
Ballot papers are to be posted to Labour members around the country on Thursday, September 13th. The deadline for the return of votes is noon on Thursday, October 4th, and the new leader and deputy leader will take office on Friday, October 5th.
If no other nominations for leadership emerge Mr Gilmore will be "interregnum" leader until October 5th and Ms McManus will remain as "acting leader" as per the party rules.
Mr Gilmore said on Saturday that he was proceeding on the basis that there would be a leadership contest, and he was taking nothing for granted.
The leadership became vacant after the surprise resignation of Pat Rabbitte, and Mr Gilmore is the only candidate to declare formally for the position to date, with Brendan Howlin, Joan Burton and Ms McManus announcing they would not be running.
Mr Gilmore has received support from several senior Labour members, including Willie Penrose, former leader Ruairí Quinn, Michael D Higgins, Emmet Stagg, Jan O'Sullivan, Joan Burton as well as Mr Howlin and Ms McManus. This is only the second time in the party's history that the leader has been voted on by the members, and an uncontested leadership election has not arisen before under this system.
There are an estimated 4,000 members who have been fully paid up for the last two years who will be eligible to vote.
Ms McManus, current deputy leader and acting leader of the party, told The Irish Times last night that her focus now would be on Labour winning a seat in the next European elections in two years' time.
She would be "very interested" in being a candidate but that would be a matter for the party.
She said the parliamentary party was in good shape with 20 TDs, six senators and one MEP, and the European elections offered Labour new opportunities to develop the party.
Ms McManus said she was impressed by the energy and focus of Mr Gilmore, and said she would be supporting his candidacy.
Dublin West TD Ms Burton and Limerick East TD Ms O'Sullivan are the only two declared candidates for the deputy leadership so far.