MS Kathleen O'Meara, the former RTE reporter and special adviser to Minister of State Ms Eithne Fitzgerald, is expected to secure the Labour Party nomination next weekend to contest the North Tipperary constituency in the next election. The outgoing TD, Mr John Ryan, is retiring.
Senior Labour sources said yesterday that it would be "almost impossible" for the party to hold the seat. It is expected to go to Fianna Fail senator and former Minister, Mr Michael O'Kennedy.
Amid growing expectations that the general election will take place in May or June, the parties are holding conventions throughout the Republic. Fianna Fail has to hold just one more convention - in Donegal South West - to choose a candidate for the seat which will be vacated by Mr Pat the Cope Gallagher, who has decided to remain in politics as an MEP.
Fine Gael must hold 19 conventions, including one in North Tipperary where Mr Michael Lowry is expected to seek a nomination in spite of unease in the party in the wake of his resignation.
The Progressive Democrats have held 12 conventions and intend to run more than 30 candidates and have promised a number of "big names" will enter the race. Sources said, however, that it was unlikely that former international runner John Treacy would seek a seat in Waterford.
In addition to the six constituencies where Democratic Left already hold seats, the party intends to contest Cork East, North Kildare, Wexford, Limerick East, Dublin North East and Dublin North Central.