Eamon Gilmore

has personally sought the support of the two candidates to succeed him as

Labour

leader and Tánaiste for his efforts to be Ireland’s next European commissioner.

Mr Gilmore outlined his intentions to get the job to both Alex White and Joan Burton in separate face-to-face meetings in recent days.

Labour is pushing for Mr Gilmore to succeed Máire Geoghegan-Quinn on the European Commission, and is insisting no deal was reached with Fine Gael on the post in earlier Coalition negotiations.

While Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan is still seen as the front-runner, a string of Labour Party Ministers and TDs have said their leader would make an excellent commissioner.

In advance of last week’s EU summit on the commission presidency, Mr Gilmore sought meetings with Mr White and Ms Burton.

It is understood that Mr Gilmore sought their opinions on the appointment of Mr Juncker in advance of meetings of the Party of European Socialists (PES) he was due to attend.

Since the next commissioner will have to be agreed between the Coalition partners, it will fall to the new Labour leader to push Mr Gilmore’s case with Fine Gael.

‘On the table’

Sources said Mr White told Mr Gilmore he will support his candidacy, and a source close to Ms Burton said the commissionership was never dealt with in negotiations between Fine Gael and Labour, adding: “It remains on the table.” It is thought that Ms Burton, the favourite to be leader, will seek Mr Gilmore’s appointment as commissioner, but it is unclear how hard she will push the issue.

The number of Labour members eligible to vote in the leadership and deputy leadership elections is substantially down from the last time the party held a contest for a position.

The potential total electorate is 3,265, comprising party members whose membership fees are up to date. The poll will close at noon on Friday.