The Labour Party will hold a convention on Sunday to select two candidates to fight the Dáil seat being vacated by Leas-Cheann Comhairle Séamus Pattison in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency. Mr Pattison retires at the next election after representing the constituency for 45 years.
Separate votes will be held in Carlow and Kilkenny to ensure each county chooses one candidate. The Kilkenny contest, for which 165 delegates are eligible to vote, is being closely contested with four candidates seeking the nomination, including the sitting TD's nephew, Dubliner Eoin Pattison (25).
The Trinity graduate will face formidable opposition from three rival candidates, all members of Kilkenny County Council.
They include Cllr Michael O'Brien of Thomastown who has 20 years' experience in local government and is chairman of the Labour Councillors' Association. He was a candidate in the 2002 general election, when Séamus Pattison, as ceann comhairle, was returned automatically.
Another candidate is Cllr Ann Phelan from Graiguenamanagh who was elected to the council on her first attempt in 2004.
The fourth candidate is Cllr Maurice Shortall, chairman of Kilkenny County Council.