While the Portroe native has not made his intentions clear yet, its understood there's a growing view within the party that he's the best option to replace Joan Burton as the leader of the party.
This morning, Brendan Howlin says he's 'absolutely' willing to engage in a Labour leadership contest and believes there are 'many Deputies' willing to second his nomination.
Labour's Deputy leader, and Tipperary TD Alan Kelly and Sean Sherlock also look set to put their names forward for the role.
Brendan Howlin is now denying he looked for an uncontested leadership.
