Charlie McCreevy's departure to Brussels has created a by-election in his former constituency of Kildare North, writes Michael O'Regan.
The stakes are high in the Kildare North by-election, caused by Mr Charlie McCreevy's departure to Brussels as EU Commissioner. The three-seater will become a four-seater at the next general election, giving the by-election victor more than a strong chance of retaining the seat.
The other two TDs for the constituency are Labour's Mr Emmet Stagg and Fine Gael's Mr Bernard Durkan. Mr Stagg is a formidable vote-getter, while Mr Durkan is one of the great survivors of Irish politics.
Fianna Fáil targeted Kildare North for a gain the last time and Mr McCreevy gave the Leixlip-Maynooth-Celbridge area to his running mate, Mr Paul Kelly, while he concentrated on the Naas area.
With the electoral tide going out for Fine Gael, Mr Durkan was under pressure. However, he held on, beating Mr Kelly for the last seat by just 135 votes. Mr Kelly would be the obvious Fianna Fáil candidate this time, but he has decided not to seek a nomination.
This was a blow to the party and it will find it difficult to retain Mr McCreevy's seat. While Fianna Fáil increased its vote in the general election, the party then had the presence of the Cabinet's most powerful minister, while Fine Gael was in decline.
Mr Kelly's withdrawal could leave an opening for Mr McCreevy's son, Mr Charles McCreevy jnr, but he has given no public indication so far of his intentions.
An auctioneer, Mr McCreevy lives in Sallins and is active in the local Fianna Fáil organisation.
Another possible Fianna Fáil candidate is Mr Michael Fitzpatrick, who worked as an assistant to the former Minister for Finance. The name of Mr Willy Callaghan, a councillor representing the Naas electoral area, has also been mentioned.
Fine Gael also has yet to choose a candidate. Names being mentioned include Mr Billy Hillis, a councillor from the Naas electoral area and currently mayor of Kildare, Ms Kate Ridge, a newly elected county councillor for Celbridge, Mr Tom Neville, a town councillor in Leixlip, and Mr Darren Scully, a town councillor in Naas.
Labour's candidate is Mr Paddy MacNamara, who topped the poll in the Naas electoral area in the local elections. He is a lecturer in Bolton Street college in Dublin. He will be highlighting the need for a better transport service and facilities for Kildare North, now part of the greater Dublin commuter belt. "I also intend highlighting the plight of carers," he says.
The PD candidate is Senator Kate Walsh, who polled nearly 4,000 first preferences in the general election. Her profile has increased since then because of her elevation to the Seanad as one of the Taoiseach's 11 nominees.
Ms Catherine Murphy, an Independent, is seen locally as a dark horse. A county councillor and town councillor in Leixlip, her poll-topping performances in the local elections were seen as a reward for a huge workload.
Formerly of Democratic Left, she joined Labour when the parties merged, but left in June 2003.
Her issues will be about quality of life. "We have huge housing estates with no facilities," she says. "Transport is also a major issue."
Mr Senan Ó Coistín from Kilcock is also running as an Independent.
The Green Party's candidate, Mr J.J. Power, comes from a strong Fianna Fáil tradition. His father, Mr Paddy Power, was a Fianna Fáil minister, while his brother, Mr Seán Power, a junior minister, represents the neighbouring Kildare South.
Mr Power was elected to Kildare County Council and Naas town council in the local elections. He is expected to poll about 3,000 votes and his transfers could be critical.