Nominations for the Labour Party leadership have this evening closed in what the party says is the most competitive race to date.
One party source told Ireland.comthe race will come down to a two-way contest between Wexford TD and deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin and Dublin South West TD, Mr Pat Rabbitte.
Both candidates are understood to have significantly more support than their opponents Dublin North West TD, Ms Roisin Shortall and Dún Laoghaire TD, Mr Eamon Gilmore.
The source also played down the significance of Democratic Left/"old Labour" divide which appears to favour Mr Howlin.
It is the first time in the history of the party that four candidates will contest the position of leader.
With the deputy leader post also at stake, a total of eight Labour TDs will be in the contest to be decided by the party's 3,500 eligible voting membership in late October.
The deputy leader contest will be between Dublin Central TD, Mr Joe Costello; Wicklow TD, Ms Liz McManus; Westmeath TD, Mr Willie Penrose; and Dublin West TD, Ms Joan Burton.
Ballots will be issued in early October and voting will conclude at noon on October 25th with the result due out later that afternoon.
