Hayes denies bid for Europe linked to role in failed heave against Kenny

Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes has denied his decision to seek a Fine Gael nomination to run for the European Parliament is because he took part in the failed 2010 heave against party leader Enda Kenny.

The Dublin South West TD yesterday declared his intention to run in the May elections, an indication that he did not believe he was heading for a promotion in the expected Cabinet reshuffle in the summer.

Fine Gael sources believe the talented TD, who is viewed by many colleagues to be a future leader of the party, was unlikely to be promoted to a full ministry despite his high profile role in defending Government policy for almost three years. It appears he is still paying the price for backing the Richard Bruton-led heave.

“I have had a very good working relationship with the Taoiseach. He didn’t have to appoint me to Government… but I think he gave me the best possible job,” he said outside Leinster House yesterday.

Mr Hayes said he would not draw his ministerial salary once he starts campaigning for one of three seats in Dublin. And while he intends to serve the full five-year term, “who knows what’s going to happen in the future?”

“I think some people think that the European Parliament in Brussels is some kind of outer Mongolia — and I think it’s a very dated view quite frankly,” he said.

“We are a modern country… and we need a strong team out there.”

Mr Hayes, who is replacing retiring MEP Gay Mitchell, who secured the seat in 2004, on the ticket, will start as favourite to top the poll in Dublin.

The crowded field includes Independent MEP Neasa Childers, who resigned from the Labour Party following a series of disputes around Labour budgetary policy.

Others in the races will be Mary Fitzpatrick of Fianna Fáil, Lynn Boylan of Sinn Féin, Labour MEP Emer Costello, who assumed the seat after Proinsias de Rossa retired in 2012, Socialist MEP Paul Murphy, who gained his seat when Joe Higgins regained his Dáil seat in 2011, Eamon Ryan of the Green Party, and Bríd Smith of United Left Alliance.

If successful, Mr Hayes’ departure will give Enda Kenny a junior ministry to appoint either in the reshuffle or beforehand. Meath West TD Damian English and constituency neighbour Regina Doherty of Meath East are likely to be among the contenders.

Mr Hayes’ departure to Europe would also lead to a by election in the Dublin South West constituency.