Nominations close today for Labour leadership

Nominations close today in the race for the Labour party leadership. There are four contenders contesting both the leadership and the deputy leadership.

The 3,600 strong membership of the Labour party will choose Ruairí Quinn's successor by postal ballot.

The four contenders for the top job are front runner Brendan Howlin, former democratic left deputies Pat Rabbite and Eamon Gilmore, and Roisín Shorthall.

Contesting the deputy leadership are Willie Penrose, Joan Burton, Joe Costello and Liz McManus.

The positions will be filled on the PR system and nominations close at 5.30pm this evening. Voting will conclude at noon on October 25 with the result known later that afternoon.