The Taoiseach has confirmed that it is his intention to hold by-elections in Galway West and Dublin Central during the month of May.
Micheál Martin said his party would be taking soundings from the local organisations in both constituencies before grassroots members selected the candidates they would field.
He said he was looking forward to the electoral competition "and we'll see what transpires".
He said the party executive was meeting with representatives of the organisation in Galway West, amid some speculation locally that Fianna Fáil might run two candidates in the race to fill the seat vacated by now President Catherine Connolly.
Mr Martin said he was aware of that idea but emphasised negotiations within the party locally would take place "in the first instance".
A number of other parties have already announced their intentions.
This week, the Social Democrats announced Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich would stand as its representative, while Orla Nugent was unveiled as the Aontú candidate.
They join five other declared hopefuls - Labour's Helen Ogbu, the Green Party’s Niall Murphy and Independent Ireland’s Noel Thomas along with Independents Sheila Garrity and Thomas Welby.
Fine Gael and Sinn Féin have yet to finalise their tickets.
Fine Gael will hold a selection convention on 22 February after the party opened nominations for prospective entrants this week.
Sinn Féin is also likely to finalise its deliberations by the end of the month, with potential candidates taking part in hustings around the constituency over the coming weeks.
The by-election in Dublin Central is to replace former Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, who resigned as a TD last November to become Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank.
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