PROCEDURE:THE FIANNA Fáil leadership election will be conducted by proportional representation, a party spokesman has stated. Consideration is also being given to setting up a "hustings" where the candidates give an election address to the parliamentary party.
Chief Whip John Curran consulted the announced contenders on the matter yesterday.
If there is agreement, the event may take place at lunchtime tomorrow, probably in the party rooms at Leinster House.
Whether or not the detailed voting figures in the election are released will also be subject to consultation with the candidates.
In accordance with the rules of the party, Mr Curran and party chairman John Browne TD have consulted and agreed the process to elect a new leader. Any Fianna Fáil TD may be nominated to contest the position and nominees must be proposed and seconded by other Fianna Fáil TDs.
Only Fianna Fáil TDs are allowed to vote; Senators and MEPs are excluded. Nominations must be received by the chairman before 1pm today. Voting takes place at a special meeting of the parliamentary party set to begin at 2pm on Wednesday.
At the start of the meeting, Mr Browne will confirm the nominees and call for them to be formally proposed and seconded. Tellers will be agreed by the meeting – it is expected TDs Michael Moynihan and Rory O’Hanlon will repeat their roles in last Tuesday’s vote of confidence in Brian Cowen.
A roll call of electors will be read, ballot papers distributed and a secret ballot will follow, with voters marking the paper in their order of preference.
The tellers count the ballots and communicate the outcome to Mr Curran and Mr Browne, who then inform the parliamentary party.
* The resignations of the Green Ministers brings the number of Ministers down to the minimum of seven. Article 28 of Bunreacht na hÉireannstipulates that: "The Government shall consist of not less than seven . . . "
