Junior Transport Minister Alan Kelly says he is interested in taking one of the top jobs in Labour.
Nominations open today for the positions of party leader and deputy leader following the resignation of Eamon Gilmore yesterday.
Ministers Joan Burton and Brendan Howlin are expected to be the frontrunners, however Alan Kelly is the first to publicly state his interest.
He has told TippFM that he is still considering which position would suit him best.
Brendan Howlin has hinted he will make a decision on whether to run for Labour Party leadership "in the next day or two". The Public Expenditure Minister says he will be making a decision on what role he will play in the reform of the party.
He also paid tribute to outgoing leader Eamon Gilmore - and said the change of leader will strengthen the party.
When asked if he was making a leadership pitch, Minister Howlin said he would make a decision in the near future.
While the Education Minister says he 'resents' the heave by Labour TDs and Senators against Mr. Gilmore.
Ruairí Quinn says he did not want the Tánaiste to resign the party leadership and says the eight younger members of the party who were set to bring a motion of no confidence should have afforded Mr. Gilmore some courtesy.
Howlin, Burton and White are seen as frontrunners
The Minister says he will have to wait to see who is in the running for the July leadership contest before endorsing any candidate amid reports that Joan Burton is already attempting to drum up support.
Burton, Alex White and Brendan Howlin are all tipped to contest the leadership.
Ruairi Quinn says the decision by Eamon Gilmore to resign was his own - but junior TDs should have given him more space.
Earlier it emerged that Deputy Gilmore was to face two motions of no confidence from the party.
Labour party members, who number more than 4,000, have one vote each in the ballot for a new party leader and a new deputy leader.
The result of the election is expected on July 4th.
However, former Labour leader Pat Rabbitte has ruled himself out and would not be drawn on who he wants in the job.
