Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin told reporters Dublin Central was a ‘poor result’.

John Stephens is the sole candidate for the party nomination and declared his intentions to throw his hat in the ring last November.

Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam, who is the current Lord Mayor, will slug it out against his deputy, Fianna Fáil councillor John Stephens, to secure the seat left vacant by former finance minister Paschal Donohoe.