The Progressive Democrat chairman, Councillor John Minihan, has confirmed plans to switch constituency before the general election.
The Cork Corporation member, who had been considered a party flag bearer in Cork South Central, is set to contest a seat in the city's North Central constituency.
Councillor Minihan said the transfer was triggered by Senator Mβir∅n Quill's decision not to contest the next general election in her constituency.
She underwent quadruple bypass surgery earlier this year.
The PD chairman said he was confident his party could have an impact in the hotly contested North Central constituency.
"The reality is that the election is wide open in lots of areas and it will be open in North Central," Mr Minihan said.
He added: "I am confident that the best core PD vote is in the North Central constituency.
"We have had unbroken Oireachtas representation there since 1987."
In the last election, the PDs lost the North Central seat held by Senator Mβir∅n Quill. The seat was won by Noel O'Flynn for Fianna Fβil.
Councillor Minihan's transfer means that the fifth seat in the North Central constituency will be contested between Labour, Fianna Fβil and the Progressive Democrats.
Fianna Fβil holds three seats in the five-seater North Central constituency compared to Fine Gael's two.
FG North Central TD, Liam Burke, is retiring this year and will not be contesting the election.
Meanwhile, Cork North Central TD, Billy Kelleher, (FF) said he did not expect Councillor Minihan's transfer to have an adverse impact on his party's chances in the general election.