The Sunday Tribune has also learned that Fianna Fail's Dublin North TD GV Wright will not contest that election and is retiring from politics.

It is understood discussions took place between Niall Blaney . . . who was not even born when his uncle, Neil Blaney, left the party in 1971 . . .and senior Fianna Fail figures before Christmas.

Blaney could not be contacted yesterday for comment.

However, political analysts believe there would be a strong logic to Blaney standing for Fianna Fail.

Blaney has consistently supported Fianna Fail in Dail votes since taking over the seat from his father Harry in 2002. However, the Blaney seat . . . held by a family member at every election since 1927 . . . is regarded as being vulnerable to a challenge from Sinn Fein's Padraig MacLochlainn.

Fianna Fail is also under pressure to hold its two seats in the constituency, with MacLochlainn and Fine Gael senator Joe McHugh looking to take advantage of any slip in government support. But, with the Blaney name on the ticket, Fianna Fail could be confident of taking two out of the three seats available.

It is also unclear at this point whether former cabinet minister Jim McDaid, who has held a seat in Donegal North East in every election since 1989, will contest the next general election.

Meanwhile, it is understood that GV Wright has written to Fianna Fail members in Dublin North to inform them he will not be contesting the constituency convention tomorrow week and is leaving politics after 25 years to pursue other interests.

Wright's decision comes just days after a similar announcement from his close friend, Tipperary South TD Noel Davern. But Ceann Comhairle Rory O'Hanlon this weekend appeared to commit himself to another Dail term, dismissing speculation that he is to retire from politics at the end of the current term. It had been mooted in recent weeks that the Cavan-Monaghan TD would stand down as Ceann Comhairle this year and then leave the Dail at the next general election.