Howlin says he will run for Labour leadership

Labour deputy leader Mr Brendan Howlin has announced he will run for the leadership of the party following Mr Ruairí Quinn's decision not to seek re-election.

In a statement, Mr Howlin said he had decided to put his name forward after "talking and listening to members of the party all around the country".

He said the next leader of the party must set three objectives. The most urgent task, he said is to "get rid of this awful Government, and to do it as swiftly as possible.

"In the medium term, Labour faces both the opportunity and the challenge of forging new alliances - on the broad left in Ireland, with a wide range of community, environmental and other groups, and with the broad mass of people (especially young people) who are alienated from politics by tainted political behaviour.

"In the longer term we must set ourselves the goal of becoming the largest component in a left-led Government," the statement said.

The party is due to ask its membership to elect a new leader before October 25th in a new approach to deciding the role. The winner of the October leadership race will be given a six-year term.

Mr Howlin - who is first to throw his hat in the ring - is seen as the favourite to succeed Mr Quinn. However, he is likely to face competition from Mr Eamon Gilmore, Mr Pat Rabbitte, Ms Róisín Shortall and Ms Joan Burton. Westmeath TD Mr Willie Penrose said he had "an open mind" about running.