Nominations for Labour Leader contest close

Nominations to decide who will become the next Labour leader are now closed.

Almost 3,500 eligible party members will have a crowded field to choose from.

Eamonn Gilmore, Brendan Howlin, Pat Rabbitte and Roisin Shortall each want to succeed Ruairi Quinn as leader, whilst Joan Burton, Joe Costello, Liz McManus and Willie Penrose are eyeing the deputy leadership.

The party’s acting General Secretary, Angus Laverty says it is shaping up to be an intriguing contest.

"If you look at the candidates there is some of the country's top politicians there.

"They will be out now around the country arguing for their type of politics and policy and that can only be a good thing.

"They will be talking about the future of the Labour Party and the future of politics in this country. The close of poll and the return of ballot papers is noon on 25th October."