The Tánaiste will answer questions as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in the Dáil for the final time this morning. Eamon Gilmore will be replaced as Labour Party leader on Friday.

He is also expected to leave the Cabinet in the re-shuffle, which is likely to be announced next Tuesday.

Yesterday, the Public Expenditure Minister signalled that Mr. Gilmore was his choice to be the new EU Commissioner for Ireland.

Fine Gael are understood to want Environment Minister Phil Hogan to take-up the position. However Labour have been pushing the Tánaiste's case in recent weeks.

Brendan Howlin says Mr. Gilmore is one of a number of "outstanding candidates" for the position and emphasised his record as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile it is believed that that Mr. Gilmore has personally sought the support of the two candidates who are running to replace him as Labour Party leader.

It was reported yesterday that he outlined his intentions to get the EU Commission role to both Joan Burton and Alex White in separate face-to-face meetings.

While the Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he has made no decision on filling the post.