Nominations have closed for the leadership of Fine Gael and four members of the parliamentary party have put their names forward for consideration by their peers. There is a growing sense that a great weight has been lifted from the party with the departure of its former leader, Mr John Bruton, and a firm commitment on all sides to a process of renewal. The biggest leadership contest in the history of Fine Gael will begin formally now - not just for the position of leader of the main Opposition party but also for that of alternative Taoiseach.
It is a measure of the lack of unanimity within the party about its future direction, that four members of long standing, Mr Michael Noonan, Mr Jim Mitchell, Mr Enda Kenny and Mr Bernard Allen are seeking to be elected. It remains to be seen, however, whether there will be a four-way contest on Friday. For the reality already is that it is a two-horse race between Mr Noonan - who pursued the need for change by mounting a joint challenge with Mr Mitchell to Mr Bruton - and Mr Kenny, who supported the status quo last week. The electorate of 72 members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party will decide.
With four days to go, the clear favourite in the election is Mr Noonan. Some senior front bench figures, like former leader, Mr Alan Dukes, Mr Charlie Flanagan, Mr Alan Shatter and Ms Frances FitGerald, make up the 17 members who have declared their support for him publicly. He has promised that there will be a new front bench of meritocracy, an improved communications system, and root-and-branch reform at all levels of the party.
His main rival, Mr Kenny, is running a contrasting campaign. He is not asking for public pledges of support. He was a firm supporter of Mr Bruton in the heave last week and now claims that he is winning votes from both sides of the party. He has promised to re-vitalise and electrify Fine Gael. He will circulate a two-page document to his colleagues today.
Mr Mitchell, who is running on a joint platform with Mr Noonan, is the preferred choice of voters in two opinion polls. He is fighting a public campaign in a private contest. The indications are that he has garnered six committed votes to date. He signalled yesterday that he would review his position if he felt that he could not beat his running mate on Friday. And the outsider and late entrant, Mr Allen, is supported by two Cork colleagues. He can control three pro-Bruton votes in the end.
The Fine Gael leadership campaign will intensify when TDs and Senators return to Leinster House today. There is much to play for. A healthy Fine Gael is an essential component in the choice of an alternative government for voters. It would be interesting, in this context, if the leading candidates could inform the public about their plans for the future. Fine Gael has enough policy documents to build apartment blocks. It will fall to the new leader to set the priorities and - sooner rather than later - sell them to the electorate. There is a public dimension to the contest as well.