Fine Gael's Tom Hayes had no sooner taken his seat in the Dβil on Tuesday than the speculation began over who would fill his seat in the Seanad.
Within Fianna Fβil, lobbying for the nomination was well underway by the end of the week and within other parties there was much discussion on whose profile could best benefit from a campaign, however low-level, during election year.
Local authority members have no vote in Seanad by-elections as the franchise is confined to members of the Oireachtas. Consequently, as was the case with the last two vacancies just over a year ago, the Government parties' candidate will take the seat, since they have a majority in Leinster House. FF and the PDs will agree on a candidate and the lucky person is almost assured of success. There was some talk around Leinster House this week that it may be the PDs' call, this time around.
First though, FG has to move the writ. It may be in no hurry to do so, knowing it will be handing the Government another Seanad seat. The delay, however, will not prevent intensive canvassing for nominations.
A senior FF source told Quidnunc the party would be seeking someone suitably qualified to serve on the Agricultural Panel, an effective political performer and probably someone who has already been selected as a general-election candidate in a constituency where FF hopes to gain a seat.
Reports that Tom McEllistrim (who is standing in Kerry North where FF has hopes of blocking Sinn Fein's Martin Ferris) would get the nod, were dismissed by the party source.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, will be inundated with supplicants seeking a plum job with higher prospects. If he sticks to form, it will be some time before any decision is made and several hopefuls may believe they are the chosen one.