Pat the Cope Gallagher to seek FF ticket in Euro elections

Pat the Cope is to seek the Fianna Fáil nomination to contest the Midlands-North-West Euro constituency.

Mr Gallagher said: "The enormity of the new constituency does not faze me in any way. I believe that my experience over the years at a local, national and European level can only be an advantage to me and I will continue to provide a service to all corners of the Midlands-North-West constituency."

Mr Gallagher was elected to the European Parliament in 2009.

He said: "I will go to convention asking the members of Fianna Fáil within the new enlarged constituency to support my nomination. I am as focused, enthusiastic and motivated as ever before for what will be a huge challenge.

"I believe that these elections will be the most fundamentally important European elections to take place since direct elections to the European Parliament first took place in 1979. The Lisbon Treaty has completely reformed the role of the European Parliament and it is an imperative, in my opinion, that the forthcoming campaign focuses on how legislation from the European Parliament affects the everyday lives of all citizens and local communities throughout the country."

The decision will be made at a convention in Co Westmeath on Saturday, March 15.