Former Fine Gael leader Mr Alan Dukes has come out in support of Mr Michael Noonan in the party's leadership contest.
No further declarations are expected ahead of the close for nominations at 6 p.m. today, apart from the existing four contenders Mr Michael Noonan, Mr Jim Mitchell, Mr Enda Kenny and Mr Bernard Allen.
There had been speculation that Mr Dukes would enter the contest but last night he said he believed that under Mr Noonan's leadership the party would again be "a major leading political force and the cornerstone of the next government".
Other party members were being reticent on their intentions yesterday. West Cork TD Mr Jim O'Keeffe said he was one of the few who believed the events of last week were good for the party. "I haven't seen Fine Gael so much mentioned in a long time. At every pub and crossroads, people are discussing the merits of going one way or another. I think that will put us in a jump-off position to win the next election."
Mr O'Keeffe said a number of people had asked him if he was interested in standing, but he had decided against it. Asked why, he responded: "I didn't think I would win."
He confirmed he had gone to Mr John Bruton last Wednesday and indicated that he did not believe he would win the vote of no confidence. "I would have preferred if he had resigned . . . At that stage he thought he was going to win. He was a fighter and he was going to fight to the end one way or another." He would not say for whom he would be voting on Friday, saying he would wait until after the close of nominations. "I have a clear picture in my head as to what's best for the party but I'll wait until nominations close."
Mr Allen said he had decided to stand because he had been approached by a number of people. He was in Madrid as a guest of Bord Failte at a tourism fair when he declared his intention to run on Friday. He spent yesterday in London with his daughter and was due to return to Dublin this morning.
Each candidate must have two names to nominate them and Mr Allen said he was satisfied that he had "more than enough" supporters to secure a nomination. "I will be contacting everybody in person and setting out in writing my reasons for going forward."
Mr Noonan was in Cork on Saturday to canvass and spent yesterday in Limerick and Kerry, according to his campaign manager, Mr Paul Bradford, as part of his plan to speak to each of the 72 party members.
Mr Mitchell said yesterday he was feeling confident. "The results of the polls speak for themselves."
On Saturday, the party's chief whip, Mr Charles Flanagan, said he had decided not to run, although "several" party colleagues had encouraged him to. He was backing Mr Noonan, with Mr Mitchell as his deputy.
Those who have declared for Mr Noonan are Mr Paul Bradford, his campaign manager, Mr Michael Finucane, Mr Alan Dukes, Senator John Connor, Ms Monica Barnes, Ms Deirdre Clune, Ms Frances Fitzgerald, Senator Mary Jackman, Senator Helen Keogh, Ms Olivia Mitchell, Senator Madeleine Taylor-Quinn and Senator Tom Hayes.
Mr Brian Hayes and Mr Gerry Reynolds, his campaign manager, have declared their support for Mr Mitchell.
Mr Michael Ring, Mr Jim Higgins and Senator Paddy Burke have declared their support for their constituency colleague, Mr Kenny, as has MEP Mr Joe McCartan. Cork North Central constituency colleague Mr Liam Burke said he would be supporting Mr Allen.
"I was giving my number one to Kenny but unfortunately my colleague Bernard Allen is on the field and I have to give him my number one. I don't think he's going to win but he is a colleague of mine."