Martin expected to declare intentions later

Nominations for the leadership of Fianna Fail will close at lunchtime on Monday with an election by secret ballot to be held at 2pm on Wednesday, party chairman John Browne has confirmed.

Amid speculation as to who will contest the leadership, a number of Fianna Fáil TDs have this afternoon already declared their support for former foreign affairs minister Micheál Martin, whose initial leadership bid failed earlier this week.