Labour Party leadership candidate Eamon Gilmore today pledged to "maximise" the party's potential if he is elected.
The Dún Laoghaire TD, who looks likely to succeed Pat Rabbitte unopposed, said potential candidates had until midday on Thursday to put their names forward but that "so far I haven't heard of any other nominations".
Eamon Gilmore: set to be unopposed in bid to become Labour Party leader
Mr Gilmore told RTÉ's Morning Irelandthat although he had a similar background to Mr Rabbitte, he planned to "lead the Labour party my way".
While Labour's team was strong, he wanted to give the party a voice. "My first job as captain of the team is to maximise the potential," he said. "Let Labour bloom because we have quite a lot to say."
Key to this goal, he said, was Labour reasserting itself "with confidence". He said the party had to be clear about its policies and what it offered voters. "People know what we're against, but they're not quite sure what we're for."
Mr Rabbitte decided last month to step down following a disappointing general election.
Dublin North East Labour TD Tommy Broughan announced yesterday he would not be standing in the leadership contest. His decision follows Wicklow TD Liz McManus's declaration on Saturday that she would not run.
Earlier last week, Wexford TD Brendan Howlin and Dublin North West TD Roisin Shortall ruled themselves out.
Joan Burton and Jan O'Sullivan are the only candidates to declare themselves interested in the deputy leadership post. Cork South Central TD Ciarán Lynch today ruled himself out of the race, saying he wished to concentrate on constituency work.
Ballot papers will be posted to Labour party members on Thursday, September 13th, and the voting will close at noon on Thursday, October 4th. The new leader and deputy leader will take office on Friday, October 5th.