Fine Gael Leinster (East) MEP Avril Doyle not to contest European elections

[David Cochrane]

The Fine Gael MEP for Ireland East and the Leader of the Irish delegation of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Avril Doyle, has informed her Party Leader Enda Kenny T.D. that she will not be standing as a candidate in the upcoming European Elections this June.

She went on to wish Enda and all her colleagues in the Party every success in the forthcoming European and Local Elections which she hoped would see the Party continue to build on its repeated electoral successes of the last 5 years.

Statement from Enda Kenny here.

[kellsangel]

The Fine Gael MEP for Ireland East and the Leader of the Irish delegation of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Avril Doyle, has informed her Party Leader Enda Kenny T.D. that she will not be standing as a candidate in the upcoming European Elections this June.

She went on to wish Enda and all her colleagues in the Party every success in the forthcoming European and Local Elections which she hoped would see the Party continue to build on its repeated electoral successes of the last 5 years.

Or has she really decided that she has rendered the State all the service that she will render?

[Rocky]

The Fine Gael MEP for Ireland East and the Leader of the Irish delegation of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Avril Doyle, has informed her Party Leader Enda Kenny T.D. that she will not be standing as a candidate in the upcoming European Elections this June.

She went on to wish Enda and all her colleagues in the Party every success in the forthcoming European and Local Elections which she hoped would see the Party continue to build on its repeated electoral successes of the last 5 years.

Where did you get this from David?

[meriwether2]

Dammit.
Dammit all to hell.

[David Cochrane]

Where did you get this from David?

From Fine Gael Rocky, and I think it was on the RTE Midday news from the number of texts I'm getting!

[FutureTaoiseach]

Caroline Simons should run for her seat next year, rather than Dublin which has an anti-Lisbon MEP.

[red-365]

Completely changes the dynamic of that contest.

De Burca must be kicking herself.

[Keith-M]

Firstly may I say that Avril Doyle was one of the politicians that I most admired in this country.

Secondly, this is a huge blow to FG. Much of Avril's vote was a personal vote that will not stay within FG unless they have a very strong candidate. Mairead McGuinness is now certain to be elected (assuming she stands again), but I would seriously question FG's ability to hold two seats in East.

[TradCat]

Caroline Simons should run for her seat next year, rather than Dublin which has an anti-Lisbon MEP.

Agreed. A strong anti-Lisbon candidate is needed in Leinster.

Dublin and Munster are fine.

[David Cochrane]

Dot, have a bit of cop on, please.