The decision by Independent TD Mildred Fox to retire at the next election has led to the political parties eying her Wicklow seat.
Ms Fox narrowly survived a Labour challenge in the five-seater the last time but Fine Gael and the Green Party will also be looking for a gain this time.
Fianna Fáil may harbour similar ambitions on a good day electorally, if it could get its candidate and vote-management right. However, it has a long history of party infighting in Wicklow.
The political scenario will become more complex if Ms Fox's organisation decides to run a candidate to replace her. Although there has been no official word that it will, there was speculation in Wicklow yesterday that elements of the organisation will want to contest the general election.
Ms Fox, from Kilmacanogue, was elected to the Dáil in 1995 in a byelection caused by the death of her father, Johnny Fox.
Given that she was one of four Independent deputies keeping the minority FF-PD government in power since 1997, with considerable access to ministers, it was felt that her seat was safe in 2002. However, Labour recruited Arklow-based Independent councillor Nicky Kelly to join its Bray-based sitting TD and deputy party leader Liz McManus, on the ticket.
A formidable vote-getter, Mr Kelly was in fifth place on the first count, 205 votes ahead of Ms Fox, but she managed to hold on by 19 votes after a marathon recount. Labour has yet to hold its selection convention, but given its performance last time, it must be in a strong position to take a second seat.
The other Wicklow seats are held by Fine Gael's Billy Timmins, Fianna Fáil's Dick Roche and Joe Jacob, a former minister of state.
With Mr Jacob standing down, Fianna Fáil is undertaking a series of interviews to find a running mate for Mr Roche. Among the names mentioned is Glendalough-based councillor, Pat Casey.
Fine Gael is pinning its hopes for a second seat on Mr Timmins's running mate, poll-topping east Wicklow councillor, Andrew Doyle. A farmer and former county council chairman, Mr Doyle will be looking for some of Ms Fox's rural vote.
Another challenger for the seat will be Green Party councillor Deirdre De Búrca, who increased her party's share of the vote in 2002.
Ms Fox's decision will have an impact nationally, if Fianna Fáil finds itself seeking support from "gene pool" Independents after the next election. She and Kerry South Independent Jackie Healy-Rae have been singled out for special treatment by the Government.
