Revised Euro boundaries add to Labour’s poll woes

Labour will struggle to avoid wipe-out in next year’s European elections after revised constituency boundaries add geographical difficulties to their low opinion poll ratings.

Ireland loses an MEP, down to 11, and Ireland East splits into the south and north-west constituencies.

Yesterday’s announcement — just eight months ahead of the European elections — annoyed MEPs who said they had little time to get to know the new areas.

Labour still does not have an obvious choice of candidate in the North constituency which stretches from Galway to Donegal to Laois to Monaghan.

There is some speculation Alice Mary Higgins, daughter of President Michael D Higgins, might contest a seat.

This four-seat constituency could also see a battle between Fine Gael MEPs Máiréad McGuinness — whose base is Louth — and Jim Higgins in Mayo.

Mr Higgins insists he will be on the ticket, despite reported efforts by party headquarters to replace him with Mayo TD John O’Mahony.

The Ireland South, formerly Munster, constituency will be expanded to take in Clare, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow, and Wexford.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are both expected to take one each of the four seats.

Labour’s fortunes could largely depend on their former MEP, now Independent, Nessa Childers.

If she runs in Dublin she could hurt current MEP there, Emer Costello. If she runs in the South, she would be a threat to Labour’s Phil Prendergast.

Dublin will remain a three-seat constituency. Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell will not contest his seat.