Succession battle:Leading figures in the Labour Party were taking soundings last night to assess their level of support before declaring their hand for the election to find a successor to Pat Rabbitte as party leader.
The party spokesman on the environment, Eamon Gilmore, and the new Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Brendan Howlin, who both contested the leadership last time around, have indicated they are considering the position.
Finance spokeswoman Joan Burton is another likely contender, while Roisin Shortall, who ran for the leadership in 2002, may also throw her hat into the ring. There was also speculation about a number of other TDs, including Michael D Higgins and Tommy Broughan.
Mr Gilmore would be a strong contender for the post. He performed reasonably well in the last leadership election, winning about 20 per cent of the vote, but was disappointed to come in third behind Mr Rabbitte and Mr Howlin. A former member of Democratic Left, like Mr Rabbitte, the Dún Laoghaire TD is one of the party's most effective performers in the Dáil and in the media.
Mr Howlin, who ran for the leadership in 1997 and 2002, was widely regarded as the favourite for the post on the last occasion. One of the things he will have to take into account this time is the fact he was recently appointed as Leas-Cheann Comhairle at the instigation of the Taoiseach. Holding that post, which has the status of a junior ministry, would be incompatible with the leadership of the Labour Party.
Ms Burton has been an impressive finance spokeswoman for the party and her standing with her parliamentary colleagues and party members has increased.
Roisin Shortall contested the position on the last occasion and will come under pressure from some of her colleagues on the left of the party to make another attempt. Tommy Broughan or Michael D Higgins are also possible standard-bearers for the left.
