Fianna Fáil figures are to try to persuade Mr Charlie McCreevy junior to contest the forthcoming Kildare North by-election, after the EU Commissioner's son indicated this week that he did not want to stand.
A Sallins-based auctioneer, Mr McCreevy is seen as Fianna Fáil's best prospect to retain the seat of his father, the former minister for finance, who became European Commissioner late last year. With no Government party having won a by-election since 1982, Fianna Fáil is anxious to avoid a double defeat when the Kildare North and Meath by-elections take place on the same day, probably this spring.
If Mr McCreevy sticks to his position, Kildare-based Ms Áine Kitt, sister of Government Chief Whip Mr Tom Kitt, has emerged as a possible contender.
Local councillors including Mr Willie Callaghan and Mr Liam Doyle are seen as possible candidates. A former assistant to Mr McCreevy senior, Mr Michael Fitzpatrick, has also been mentioned. A Fianna Fáil convention is expected later this month.
No date has yet been set for the by-elections. It is customary for the party of a retiring or deceased TD to "move the writ" for the by-election, the Dáil procedure that sets in train the process by which the election takes place.
According to a Department of the Environment spokeswoman, the political party that moves the writ sets the date for the poll. With Fianna Fáil entitled to move the writ for Kildare North and Fine Gael the writ for Meath where its former leader Mr John Bruton is to be replaced, there may be negotiations between them to agree a date on which both polls will be held together.
Declared candidates for Kildare North include Senator Kate Walsh (PD), Cllr Paddy McNamara (Lab), Cllr Catherine Murphy (Ind), Mr Senan O'Coistin (Ind), and Mr J.J. Power (Green Party). Fine Gael has yet to select its candidate.
Candidates in Meath include Cllr Tommy Reilly (FF), Mr Shane McEntee (FG), Mr Dominic Hannigan (Lab), Mr Joe Reilly (Sinn Féin) and Mr Fergal O'Byrne (Green Party).