WEXFORD: The county in which Nally works and lives looks likely to back his nomination, but it could be by a soccer scoreline. If, as is likely, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael both abstain, the matter will be decided by the three Independents and one Labour candidate. Padge Reck and Leo Carty will propose and second, while the third Independent is expected to abstain. A 2-0 or 2-1 vote in Nally's favour is therefore a distinct possibility. However, Fianna Fail's Rory Murphy has made no secret of his admiration for the local man and has stated publicly that he will support him unless the whip is imposed.
SOUTH DUBLIN: The 26 seats in South Dublin are widely spread, with a bloc comprising Fine Gael, Labour, DL, three Independents, one "community candidate" and one Green Party member currently holding control. The bloc vote will not be applied to Nally's nomination but his proposer, the community Independent, Guss O'Connell, is counting on the votes of Democratic Left, the Green member and two other Independents, for a total of seven. Fianna Fail's seven, Fine Gael's five and the three members each from Labour and the PDs could still thwart the nomination. But if they abstain, Nally will win comfortably.
CARLOW: One of the more interesting of today's meetings, in that Carlow has no Independent councillors. For Nally to be nominated, therefore, he needs votes as well as abstentions from the main parties and, unless a whip is imposed at the last minute, he looks likely to get them from Fianna Fail and the PDs. Nally is a local candidate here as well as across the border in Wexford, so even a whip might not thwart him. Fianna Fail's Nicholas Carpenter put it like this: "I'll support him if they don't impose the whip, and possibly if they do. I think he'll get some votes and I don't think he'll be opposed by anyone. I don't see how we could block someone from the area, who's trying to achieve something for himself."
CORK: Fine Gael, the biggest party, and Fianna Fail hold the vast majority of seats on the 48-member council. But the matter may be decided by a handful of Independents, including Derry Canty from Ballincollig, who will be the seconder and who predicts at least four votes: "I feel strongly that if Derek is prepared to go through the formal nomination process, he should and must be allowed his chance. We're not asking people to declare support for him as a candidate, just to allow his name go forward."
KILDARE: The situation in Kildare is a confused one. Four names have been tabled for consideration, including Dana's, but it is expected that Nally's will get the most serious consideration. He is being nominated by Timmy Conway, one of the PD's two council members. The other PD, Senator John Dardis, has already signed Mary McAleese's nomination and will probably abstain. But the support of one or two other Independents, including the expected seconder, Francis Browne, would be enough if the main parties do not oppose.
MEATH: Meeting at 2 p.m. Nally is being proposed by Kells Independent Jack Fitzsimons, who was also active in seeking a special meeting to consider Dana's nomination, before that became unnecessary. Fitzsimons is "sure of at least three others", including Independent Fine Gael councillor, Tom Kelly, and Democratic Left's Christy Gorman. The "worst scenario", Fitzsimons predicts, is a 40 vote for Nally, with the bigger parties abstaining.
LOUTH: Nally is being proposed by council chairman, Mr Martin Bellew, one of the three Independents (not including two party members not under the whip at present). He foresees "no problem" saying that individual members of all parties have promised support. But even in the event of a general abstention by the big parties, he predicts the Independents will carry it.
KILKENNY: Nally's is one of three names - Dana is again included - going before the meeting, but with Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour accounting for all the seats on the council, it is unclear where there is support for any Independent candidate. There was confusion in the Nally camp last night as to whether the motion in Kilkenny was a valid one, but a spokesman said he would be contacting the county council this morning for clarification.