Nominations finalised for Fianna Fáil leadership race

The deadline for the receipt of nominations for the leadership of Fianna Fail has closed.

Four contenders - Ministers Brian Lenihan, Mary Hanafin and Eamon O'Cuiv as well former Minister Micheal Martin - have declared to contest the race to succeed the Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

The new leader will be announced after a secret ballot at a special parliamentary party meeting in Leinster House on Wednesday afternoon.