Who will replace Avril Doyle?

[TheIrishRover]

So who are the early favourites? Ivan Yates, not interested apparently Nickey Brennan one of the worst GAA Presidents ever anyway what qualifies him even to be considered too parochical by far what does he know about Europe, the only viable candidate and the one FG should go for is Sen JP Phelan young enthusiastic and a consumate pro he would provide a welcome boost that Ireland needs in getting back to the heart of Europe, and he would in addition significantly raise Irelands profile.

Ireland needs to get away from using the EP as a retirement home for our domestic politicians.

[Bobert]

What's with running Senators?

[sandar]

they would have hopes of phelan winning a dail seat, so wont be running him......hogan is more likely to run than phelan

[TradCat]

Always nice to hear from you JP.

[mccafferty cat]

Ireland needs to get away from using the EP as a retirement home for our domestic politicians.

Well you can't accuse Fine Gael of this. Last time out FG put forward some of its brightest talent and Cabinet material for the European Elections - Gay Mitchell, Simon Coveney and Mairead McGuinness. And in times past, Fine Gael MEPs began their careers in the European Parliament, and were not former TDs going into retirement (Alan Gillis, John Cushnahan etc.)

[red-365]

What's with running Senators?

No worries about losing a Dail seat if they move to Europe.

Running Senator Phelan would be tantamount to FG raising the white flag on keeping the two seats. His national profile is almost non-existent. If they are genuinely looking to keep the two seats, the only person with any hope for them would be Liam Twomey, and even that would be a long shot.

[TheIrishRover]

Ha Tradcat how cynical just an observation on my part can you offer any one else in my mind he appears to be the most obvious just on a simple check list of criteria

[TheIrishRover]

and Tradcat the Irish Times and Indo touted him today so it seems that in some circles he is being considered as I said throw me out some more names.

[Eurocitizen]

Well you can't accuse Fine Gael of this. Last time out FG put forward some of its brightest talent and Cabinet material for the European Elections - Gay Mitchell, Simon Coveney and Mairead McGuinness. And in times past, Fine Gael MEPs began their careers in the European Parliament, and were not former TDs going into retirement (Alan Gillis, John Cushnahan etc.)

I totally agree these are very talented people , I was disappointed that Simon left the EP to take a Dail seat, it seems a waste of talent sitting in opposition , I am also happy that Mariead failed to win a Dail seat and had to remain in Europe because she is very effective over there , I am also happy Gay resisted attempted to bring him home to run in the Dail elections as he is another great Irish representive in the EP .

[Tony B]

Jumpship doesn't have a chance if he ran, like Doyle he is not at all popular with Fine Gael people in Wexford. Maybe bumbling Paul Kehoe will run?