The third space on the FF ticket had been left open after the party's selection convention was suspended amid a bitter row. Brian Cowen's constituency committee is expected to hold interviews next week with the four candidates who never had an opportunity to battle it out at the convention. There is speculation that Michael Crowe, an independent councillor who only joined FF last month, may emerge as a surprise choice. That row will be nothing however compared to the split in Labour in Galway West. Local councillor Catherine Connolly is said to be threatening to run as an independent if she is not added to the ticket with Michael D Higgins.

Connolly's sister Colette is also a Labour councillor and their departure would halve the party's representation on Galway County Council.