Supporters of Minster for Social Protection Leo Varadkar are pushing for spending limits to be imposed on candidates in the Fine Gael leadership race.
Sources within Mr Varadkar’s camp said it wished to ensure there was a “level playing field” and to avoid “the perception that anyone got a monetary advantage”.
A supporter of his main rival, Simon Coveney, said the Minster for Housing's campaign would follow whatever rules are set down by Fine Gael.
The party's executive council will be responsible for how the contest to succeed Enda Kenny is run and it met this week to sketch out the process.
It is understood, however, the possibility of spending limits was not discussed at this particular meeting.
“Whatever rules the executive council sets, we will follow,” a supporter of Mr Coveney said. “I can’t see it being a massive spend on the campaign. There are 25,000 members.”
A supporter of Mr Varadkar said: “There has been no decision yet on spending limits but we’re pushing for that. Notably, the conservatives had it in the UK.
“It’s all in the mix. We do think there should be spending limits.”
Family wealth
Sources within Mr Varadkar’s camp said the request did not have anything to do with the family wealth of Mr Coveney.
In response, Mr Coveney's campaign suggested Mr Varadkar’s campaign does not have a huge amount of funds to draw on. This suggestion was rejected.
The broad outline of the contest is now emerging. It will be slightly less than the 20 days set out under party rules, and there will be four hustings spread around the country.
The party leadership will be decided by an electoral college which gives the parliamentary party 65 per cent voting weight, rank and file members 25 per cent and councillors 10 per cent.
Polling stations will be set up in every constituency, with members and councillors casting their ballots at these venues. It is expected this will be stretched out over a number of days for logistical reasons. The parliamentary party will hold a special meeting, likely to be at a weekend, at the end of the process to cast their votes.
Gathering
There is also speculation in Fine Gael circles that Mr Kenny may want to remain on as Taoiseach for a gathering of the European People's Party (EPP), the centre-right grouping to which Fine Gael belongs, in Wicklow on May 11th and 12th.
A rumoured date for Mr Kenny to resign as Taoiseach is April 11th, which would allow the 20-day leadership contest take place while the Dáil is in Easter recess.
The Taoiseach himself has given no such firm indication. “He really is being tight-lipped,” a senior party source said.
Meanwhile, senior party figures believe that Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald may use the leadership contest as a platform to secure the Fine Gael nomination for next year's presidential election.
Such a scenario would see Ms Fitzgerald eventually support one of the leading contenders. Her spokesman yesterday did not rule out a run for the presidency.
“The Tánaiste is considering her position regarding a leadership election once a vacancy arises,” the spokesman said. “She has always focused on the job at hand and if she were to contest that would be no different.”