Noonan ‘cold on offer’ to run for MEP seat

FORMER Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan is unlikely to accept an offer to become his party’s front-runner in the new South constituency, for next year’s European parliamentary elections.

Mr Noonan has confirmed he had been approached by senior figures in the Munster region, with a view to being Fine Gael’s leading candidate in the constituency, which has been reduced from four to three seats after last week’s constituency reforms.

The party’s sole MEP in Munster, John Cushnahan, recently announced that he would not seek re-election.

Mr Noonan said while he had taken no final decision on the matter, he was strongly inclined to remain in the Dáil. He also hinted that he still retains Ministerial ambitions, should Fine Gael return to Government after the next election.

On the subject of the European Parliament, he said: “I am cold on the idea. I never considered spending part of my main career there. I have found Brussels to be a soulless place, in which everything is closed in the evening.”

His reservations centre on what he sees as the limited power of MEPs to effect change, especially in an enlarged parliament which will include MEPs from the ten accession countries.

However, he pointed out: “I have not ruled it out completely. That would be jumping to conclusions. I will talk to my the people in my own constituency, the people who are close to me basically.

“At the same time, I do not want to be raising the bar. My inclination is stronger against than for.

“If it was the choice between being involved in a FG-Labour Government, and Europe, it would have to be here. I see myself as a Dáil person rather than an EU parliament person.”

Reflecting on last year’s massive electoral loss by Fine Gael under his leadership, he said that it had taken its toll on him personally.

“It was traumatic. And I felt sorry for those who lost out. I have a very strong regard for party colleagues who lost their seats. Alan Dukes, for example, is a great loss to Irish politics.”

However, after spending twelve months of maintaining a low profile and concentrating on his constituency, Mr Noonan said he was now prepared to return to national politics.

“I suppose I am somebody with a different status. I will make myself available for media occasions. I will be speaking on Bills in the house. I will be participating in things I may be interested in,” he said.