The Council for the West chairwoman, Marian Harkin, looks set to be a leading contender for a Dail seat in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency at the next election. Feedback from polls and soundings taken by various parties over recent weeks indicate that she is among the frontrunners in the four-seat constituency.
Ms Harkin, who was narrowly defeated by Dana in the European elections in Connacht-Ulster, has so far only declared that she will definitely stand for the Dail. Fianna Fail has shown an interest in taking Ms Harkin into the fold, and while she has said she had discussions with "a number of parties", it is thought likely that she will stand as an Independent. She is expected to announce her intentions soon.
Fianna Fail faces a difficulty in finding a candidate to replace the south Sligo TD, Mr Mattie Brennan, who is retiring. A poll by Fianna Fail found Ms Harkin to be doing very well, and Fine Gael's Mr John Perry is also among the front-runners.
However, the performance of Mr John Ellis is not so clearcut. Fianna Fail sources will say otherwise, but there are indications that he has been affected by the controversy over the business he ran with his brothers which went bankrupt, leaving farmers unpaid for their cattle.
Fianna Fail is now expected to put up two Sligo-based candidates with Ellis in order to improve their chances of holding the second seat.
A selection convention will take place in November, and it is expected that county councillors Mr Jimmy Devins and Mr Eamon Scanlon will be put on the ticket.
Ms Harkin said she was encouraged by the poll findings and her performance in the European elections had shown that people were prepared to vote for her even if there was a strong tradition in the constituency of voting for Fianna Fail or Fine Gael.
A scramble for the fourth seat is expected, with Fine Gael's sitting deputy, Gerry Reynolds, Sinn Fein's Sean MacManus and Labour's Declan Bree also running. Sinn Fein is expected to outpoll Labour due to improved party structures throughout Sligo and Leitrim.