Nominations have closed for the post of Ceann Comhairle.

Five candidates will contest the post when the 32nd Dáil convenes tomorrow.

Fianna Fáil has nominated the Kildare South TD, Seán O'Fhearghail who is an early favourite, the other favourite is the Dublin Central Independent TD Maureen O'Sullivan who would make history as the first woman to hold the post.

Sinn Féin's Cavan Monaghan TD Caoimhghín O'Caoláin and two Fine Gael candidates, Wicklow's Andrew Doyle and Kildare North TD, Bernard Durkan, have also secured the seven signatures required to be nominated.

The post will be filled by secret ballot at 10:30am tomorrow morning.

Maureen O'Sullivan said she would not have put her name forward for Ceann Comhairle if she was not up to the job.

The Independent TD in Dublin Central was first elected in a by-election in 2009, to fill the seat of the late Tony Gregory.

Traditionally it has been the the responsibility of the Taoiseach to appoint a Dáil chair, but for the first time ever the job will be filled through a secret ballot.

Under the changes, the Ceann Comhairle will be selected by secret ballot and the person selected will then be formally elected by an open vote in the chamber.

Nominations must be supported by the signatures of no fewer than seven other members, and a member may add their supporting signature to only one nomination form.

"I'm not canvassing, I'm leaving it up to people as to whether they wish to support me or not", Ms O'Sullivan told Newstalk Breakfast.

Asked whether she feels up to the job, she replied: "I wouldn't let my name go forward unless I thought I was (up for it) - but time will tell".