Labour TD Duncan Smith has said he will not run for the leadership of the Labour Party following the resignation of Alan Kelly.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said Ivana Bacik is the best person to lead the party.
Mr Smith said that he had reflected on the matter and felt that he was not the best candidate for the role.
"Personally, I think Ivana Bacik is best placed," he said, adding that he had first-hand experience of her ability when he was her Director of Elections last year for the Dublin Bay South by-election.
"I've seen how she can connect with people from all different backgrounds, from all different areas and she has a potent combination of freshness, but experience and ability," he said.
Dublin Bay North TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has also ruled himself out of any leadership bid, tweeting that Ms Bacik has his "full support".
Mr Kelly announced he was resigning from the role last night, saying the parliamentary party had lost collective confidence in his leadership.
Mr Smith, who is party whip, said that there was "no heave" against Mr Kelly.
He said: "There was no orchestration and there was no heave.
"People won't believe us and people will look for various different plots and subplots
"The reality was that we've been talking about this. We had a meeting planned for Tuesday morning for the entire parliamentary Labour party.
"We had a meeting planned for about two or three weeks, specifically to discuss polls and where we were going and that was the catalyst for why we were discussing over the last number of weeks.
"So instead of going to that full meeting, and maybe having a wider, more uncontrolled discussion, the three of us went as representatives prior and said this is how we feel going into this meeting. We feel that we have lost the dressing room.
"It was a very sad day for us. It was not an easy meeting."
When asked if the decision was based on issues with staff, Mr Smith said: "I am not discussing any internal matters of the party. This is based on polling, this is based on not being able to get any traction, this is based on the 20122 - 2016 legacy
"They are tough, difficult reasons which people will contest, but that's what led us to where we are now."
Earlier, Labour Senator Marie Sherlock named Mr Smith and Ms Bacik as potential contenders to replace Mr Kelly.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said Mr Kelly has shown "real leadership" by listening to his party colleagues and taking on board that changes need to be made if the party is to survive.
Ms Sherlock said they are moving ahead and starting the process of appointing a new leader with a focus on expanding the party by bringing on board more activists and councillors.
She said a meeting will take place this weekend.
Ms Sherlock indicated the two possible contenders she would be in favour of as the next party leader are Ms Bacik and Mr Smith.
"This is a matter for the two of them to reflect over the coming days as to what needs to happen and for the membership as well," she said.
"We haven't commenced the leadership process yet but I am sure that will all play out over the coming days."
Kelly's leadership failed to electrify party's fortunes
Ms Sherlock added that they have known for some time that Labour is in a "fight for its very survival" and that polling numbers have stagnated.
"The reality now for the party is we need a generational change, we need a fresh start and if radical changes are to be made it has to start at the top of the party," she said.
Senator Wall has said there was "no knife" twisted and Mr Kelly told them last week that he would stand down as leader.
Speaking to RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Mr Wall said he wanted the opportunity to "set the record straight".
"On last Tuesday morning, it is correct that myself and two colleagues went on behalf of the parliamentary party to have a chat with Alan and when we had that chat very early in that conversation Alan said that he wanted to step down and asked us to organise that," Mr Wall said.
Taoiseach thanks Kelly for public service
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has thanked Mr Kelly for his public service during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Micheál Martin said Mr Kelly worked in the national and public interest regarding the response to Covid.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also paid tribute to Mr Kelly, telling him that he had "a lot to be proud of".
Leo Varadkar, who worked with Mr Kelly in the Department of Transport, said that the integrated ticketing system, now known as the Leap Card, was a particular achievement that Mr Kelly helped get over the line.
Speaking during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil, he told Mr Kelly: "By and large you are the kind of politician who does get things done."
