Fianna Fail are closing nominations for candidates to contest the next General Election today.
The deadline for nominations is 5pm this evening.
With the deadline looming, speculation is mounting as to Fianna Fail will be putting forward to contest the election.
A number of candidates have already ruled themselves out, or have signalled their intent to put themselves forward.
A surprise withdrawal early on was that of Tom MacSharry. It was expected that the recently-elected Mayor of Sligo would put himself forward to contest the seat vacated from his cousin, and current TD, Marc MacSharry.
However, he said that due to running his solicitors practice in Sligo Town, and his current status in local politics, the time was not right for him to contest a General Election.
It's thought that that leaves the door open for another cousin in Edel McSharry, who was recently elected to Sligo County Council for the first time. Speculation is also mounting about sitting Ballymote Tubbercurry Councillor, Paul Taylor, who has never contested a General Election before.
One man who's name is definitely in the hat is Donegal Councillor Micheal Naughton. He topped the poll in Donegal in the recent local elections, and recently signalled his intention to run.
The current president of the LGFA has also said that his constituency has been without a sitting TD for far too long.
