How new FF leader will be chosen

The new and eighth leader of Fianna Fáil will be elected by secret ballot within the next four days.

Party chairman John Browne TD revealed nominations were now open for any Fianna Fáil TD to contest the position.

The process will be:

- Nominations must be received by the party chairman before 1pm on Monday and should be proposed and seconded by a Fianna Fáil member of the Dáil.

- A special meeting of the parliamentary party will be convened at 2pm on Wednesday in the Party Rooms of Leinster House in Dublin to elect the new leader.

- The party chairman will confirm the nominees for the position and call for them to be formally proposed and seconded.

- Tellers will be agreed by the meeting, which will be addressed by Taoiseach Brian Cowen and each nominee.

- Ballot papers will be distributed and a secret ballot will follow.

- The tellers will withdraw from the meeting, then examine and count the ballots.

- The new leader will be announced by Mr Browne and party whip John Curran.