The race within Fianna Fáil for the post of cathaoirleach of the new Seanad appears to have narrowed to three senators.
Although the job will not be filled for another month, by way of a vote among Fianna Fáil senators, the canvassing has been intense.
The front-runners are established senators. They are Mr Paschal Mooney, Ms Ann Ormonde and Mr Rory Kiely.
The party's former deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, who was was among the Taoiseach's 11 nominees, appears not to be in contention.
There is speculation, however, that she will be appointed leader of the House by Mr Ahern.
At a recent meeting with Fianna Fáil senators, Mr Ahern made it clear that he would not be exercising his right to nominate a cathaoirleach and that it would be a matter for themselves.
This precedent was established in 1989 when the then Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, opted to allow a vote of Fianna Fáil senators after Mr Des Hanafin and Mr Sean Doherty both sought the post. Mr Doherty's name was eventually pulled out of a hat after they tied the vote.
Mr Ahern's decision to stick with precedent effectively ended Ms O'Rourke's chances of the job as her Seanad colleagues were always likely to give it to a senator elected by the vocational panels.
Mr Mooney, Ms Ormonde and Mr Kiely quickly declared an interest.
Mr Mooney, from Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, was first elected to the Seanad in 1987, and would be viewed as competent and a "safe pair of hands" by senators who would want the new cathaoirleach to be reliable and ensure that the upper House did not attract any unfavourable publicity during its coming term.
Ms Ormonde is from a Co Waterford family with a long tradition of involvement with Fianna Fáil. A senator since 1993, she contested four general elections in Dublin South, beginning in 1987.
Given the decline in the number of women senators, her election would provide the upper House with a public relations boost.
Mr Kiely's long service in the Seanad gives him a strong claim to the post. A native of Kilmallock, Co Limerick, he was first elected a senator in 1977, and has remained a senator since, except for a brief period between 1982 and 1983.
Much could depend on the attitude of the new party senators who would not necessarily have any loyalties generated by serving with the contestants in the Seanad over the years.
These would include Dr Martin Mansergh, former adviser to the Taoiseach, Mr Timmy Dooley (Clare), Mr Diarmud Wilson (Cavan) and Mr Kieran Phelan (Laois).
Mr Mooney is one of four Fianna Fáil senators in Sligo-Leitrim. If he manages to secure the support of his constituency colleagues Mr Marc MacSharry, Ms Geraldine Feeney and Mr Eamon Scanlon, from Sligo, as well as Mr Terry Leyden, a former TD and Minister of State from Roscommon, he will have a strong support base from which to canvass.
The post of cathaoirleach is seen as a very attractive job in Leinster House. It carries an annual salary of €83,607, two official drivers paid for by the State and extensive foreign travel.
Meanwhile, the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, is likely to wait until early next month to nominate a leas cathaoirleach and Seanad leader.
Former TDs Mr Jim Higgins, from Mayo, and Mr Brian Hayes, Dublin South West, are expected to be among the contenders.
Mr Paul Coghlan, from Killarney, the sole survivor of the party's established senators, will have a claim based on experience and work rate in the House and service to the party over many years.
However, with Mr Higgins expected to be a candidate in the next European elections in Connacht-Ulster, and Mr Hayes battling to regain his Dáil seat at the next election, the spoils of office may go to them.
