The two pending by-elections, in Limerick East and Dublin North, are now expected to take place in late February or early March. The writs could be moved when the Dail resumes after the Christmas recess.
The vacancies have been caused by the death of Labour's Mr Jim Kemmy in Limerick and the resignation of Fianna Fail's Mr Ray Burke in Dublin.
Following speculation that one of Mr Burke's daughters may go forward as a candidate, Fianna Fail sources said last night that "no member of the Burke family" is likely to be available.
Instead, the former Dublin goalkeeper, Mr John O'Leary, is being sought by Fianna Fail to contest the seat. His high profile as a top-ranking Gaelic footballer would, sources say, make him a strong challenger to the Labour party candidate, Senator Sean Ryan, who lost his Dail seat in June and is seen as the front-runner. Fianna Fail has appointed the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, to act as director of elections in the Dublin constituency. The party is trying to find candidates in both constituencies before Christmas.
In accordance with the tradition of allowing the party which has lost a deputy to move the by-election writ, Labour will initiate proceedings to fill the Limerick seat.
This is expected shortly after the Dail resumes on January 28th while the Government will move the Dublin writ at the same time. Labour is in some turbulence in Limerick following last week's resignation of two well-known figures but Ms Jan O'Sullivan, the former mayor and close colleague of Mr Kemmy, is set to become the party's candidate.
Fine Gael has selected Senator Mary Jackman to contest the seat and the Progressive Democrats will hold a convention in Limerick on Sunday next. Mr Tim O'Malley, a pharmacist and Mr Dick Sadler are the two main contenders for the PD nomination.
Fianna Fail has selected the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, as director of elections in Limerick where a solicitor, Mr Peter Power and the former mayor, Mr Jack Burke, are tipped as likely contenders. Ms Sandra Marsh, a GAA official with the Limerick County Board, has also emerged as a possible candidate.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, met the presidential candidate, Dana, Mrs Rosemary Scallon, in Dublin on Saturday. Sources in Fianna Fail said there was no question of Dana being a by-election candidate but that the 1999 elections to the European Parliament might present the possibility of a party nomination for her in Connacht-Ulster should Mr Mark Killilea decide not to stand.