Nominations for the Fine Gael leadership contest must be submitted in writing by 6 p.m. on Monday. The new leader's name should be known next Friday.
At a meeting yesterday in Leinster House, parliamentary party members reconvened hours after the marathon meeting at which Mr John Bruton resigned as leader following a vote of no confidence. All 72 members - TDs, senators and MEPs - attended Wednesday's meeting but only about half were present yesterday. The special meeting was convened to decide on the arrangements for electing Mr Bruton's successor. The nominations must be submitted to the party's chairman, Mr Phil Hogan, and must be signed by two members of the parliamentary party. Proportional representation will be used when counting the votes.
The election will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday. Mr Hogan said he expected a "keenly fought battle" and that the result would be known by Friday lunchtime. He also said, however, that he expected a number of speeches would be made.
Mrs Nora Owen said the Fine Gael party had been founded on the principle of democracy and this election would be "carried out on the same principle".
