Speculation as to who will replace Mr Padraig Flynn as Ireland's EU Commissioner has gone into overdrive following the sudden mass resignation of the entire Commission.
According to Government sources in Dublin, the events in Brussels in the early hours of yesterday came as "manna from heaven" for the Government in its dealings with Mr Flynn and the controversy that has embroiled him domestically over the £50,000 payment from Mr Tom Gilmartin.
As the Dail awaits clarification from the Flood tribunal as to whether Mr Flynn is free to make the statement requested by the House, the Commissioner has resigned "of his own volition" and reduced the political embarrassment he has engendered for Fianna Fail in particular. It is now only a matter of time before he ceases to be Commissioner.
In the meantime, however, the Government favours Mr Flynn remaining as "caretaker" Commissioner to deal with the crucial negotiations on Agenda 2000, CAP reform and structural and cohesion funding. The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, who discussed the crisis by telephone with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, last night, is understood to share the view that he can remain in the short term, but under no circumstances should he be formally re-nominated.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, seemed to support Mr Flynn's retention for now, saying that, in spite of what had just happened to the Commission, the Government was concerned this would not adversely affect negotiations on Agenda 2000 and structural and cohesion funding.
In a series of discussions on the EU emergency throughout yesterday, Mr Andrews had talks with the German Foreign Minister, Mr Joschka Fischer, and later considered the matter with the Taoiseach in the US.
Given the manner in which Mr Flynn handled the allegation about Mr Gilmartin's payments, there was no question of him being re-appointed to the position he has held in Brussels since 1993. His fate is now sealed, and in the last 24 hours attention turned in Leinster House to who might replace him.
The Attorney General, Mr David Byrne SC, has emerged as a figure who might be willing to take over the role. He is seen as close to the Taoiseach, and his appointment would have the advantage of not reducing the minority Government's voting strength in the Dail.
The former Fianna Fail-appointed attorney general, Mr John Murray SC, is also regarded as a possible nominee. He is a judge in the European Court of Justice, and it is not clear if he would be happy to move to the Commission.
The former minister for justice, Ms Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, has also been warmly tipped among Fianna Fail TDs as a contender. She earned a reputation for achieving a formidable understanding of European affairs as a junior minister with responsibility for this area. Ms Geoghegan-Quinn was making no comment on the possibility of such an appointment yesterday.
The outgoing Fianna Fail MEP in Munster, Mr Gerry Collins, has been seen as a possible replacement for Mr Flynn since speculation began in January that he would not be re-appointed as commissioner.
His constituency running-mate, Mr Brian Crowley, is also seen as a possible candidate, though Fianna Fail sources said last night it was more likely the leadership would prefer to see both MEPs hold on to their seats in the European Parliament elections in June.
Sources in Government last night ruled out the prospect of the former Progressive Democrats' leader, Mr Des O'Malley, being appointed as his exit would diminish the coalition's Dail numbers.
The former Labour leader and minister for foreign affairs, Mr Dick Spring, is also seen as a potential commissioner. He was the centre of earlier speculation that he would secure the newly-created post in charge of European foreign affairs policy. The departure of Mr Spring to Brussels would pave the way for a by-election in Kerry North which Fianna Fail claims it could win, in spite of intense opposition from Mr Martin Ferris of Sinn Fein.
Because of his knowledge of European affairs, the former Fine Gael leader, Mr Alan Dukes, has also emerged as a possible Government nominee. He is chairman of the Irish Council of the European Movement.
The Independent MEP for Munster and former PD TD, Mr Pat Cox, whose criticism of the Commission was vindicated in the damning report, has also been named as a challenger for the role, but as a rank outsider.