Fine Gael leadership candidate Jim Mitchell has said it is too early to predict whether the vote on John Bruton's successor will be as close as the vote which removed him.
Deputy Mitchell said he had put his name forward in order to offer the party real choice. He said when the nominations close in a few days' time, a clearer picture will emerge.
Meanwhile, rival candidate Michael Noonan said both he and Deputy Mitchell had offered the party a fresh start and it was up to them to decide how it begins.