John Carty, the only Fianna Fail TD in Mayo, is expected to be automatically returned, with two former political dynasties looking to reassert themselves through Denis Gallagher jr and Dara Calle ry, both of whom had fathers who were Fianna Fail ministers. The party will be looking to avoid a repeat of the Galway West debacle, but expect some angry voices when it's announced that the constituency will be split into three separate districts for voting purposes at the selection convention.

Meanwhile, another Fianna Fail hopeful, Gary 'I have a dream' Keegan, has been telling colleagues that he won't be a Dail candidate in Dublin South East, where Chris Andrews was recently selected at a party convention.

Brian Cowen's powerful constituencies committee has held interviews with three candidates looking to be added to the ticket . . . Keegan, barrister Jim O'Callaghan and Senator Mary "Milsean" White. Word out of Mount St is that the Lir Chocolate Lady made a powerful argument for her addition to the ticket. The prospect of White battling with Michael McDowell over Irish republicanism would be intriguing, a fact which might just tip the balance in O'Callaghan's favour. O'Callaghan . . . a brother of RTE's Miriam O'Callaghan . . . lost out in the local elections in 2004, but a similar experience did not stop Andrews securing a nomination.