Sean Kelly stems Fine Gael exodus by remaining as candidate in European elections

Sources said they believe Colm Burke 'would be open' to being added to the ticket if the party asks.

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly said: "I didn't get the flu bug, the covid bug, or the retirement bug," Picture: Denis Minihane

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly has confirmed that he will not join the party's exodus and will contest next year's European elections.

Mr Kelly yesterday paid tribute to his party and constituency colleague Deirdre Clune who announced that she would step away from politics, ending a 26-year career that took in the Dáil, Cork City Council, the Seanad, and Brussels. He said that Ms Clune left behind a legacy of which "Fine Gael and her constituents could be proud".

However, Mr Kelly's statement did not address whether he would join Ms Clune and Dublin MEP Frances Fitzgerald in retiring from the European Parliament. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, however, he said that he will be a candidate in next year's elections.

"That's the plan. I have been asked by the party and am willing to do so. I'm here in Brussels and have a job of work to do and keep doing.

"I didn't get the flu bug, the covid bug, or the retirement bug," he added.

Mr Kelly said that he had not yet given thought to who might join him on the Fine Gael ticket in Ireland South, but said that it "makes most sense to have a two-candidate strategy".

Ms Clune said on Wednesday that she was "looking forward to the next chapter of my political life where I will revert to being a Fine Gael activist and supporting the next generation of public representatives who will serve you" as she announced she would not be contesting the election to hold onto the seat she took in 2014.

Ms Clune's retirement opens up a spot on the Fine Gael ticket in the south of the country, but sources said that there were no decisions made as yet about who might fill it. A senior party source said that the candidate "has to come from Cork" given the county makes up about 40% of the population of the current constituency. 

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Of the party's sitting four TDs in Cork, two—David Stanton and Michael Creed—have signalled their intention to retire, and one—Simon Coveney—is a senior member of Cabinet. 

The remaining TD, Colm Burke, served two years in the European Parliament after Mr Coveney opted to remain in domestic politics following the abolition of the dual mandate. Sources said that they believed Mr Burke "would be open" to being added to the ticket if the party asks.

Other potential names that have been touted are the party's Cork-based senators Jerry Buttimer, who is the Cathaoirleach of the upper house, and Tim Lombard.

A party source said that it is "highly possible" that the party seeks a high-profile candidate from outside politics in a bid to keep the seat. Earlier this week, the Irish Examiner reported that Fine Gael is eyeing up a "dream team" European ticket of former TDs Noel Rock and Kate O'Connell for the Dublin constituency.

It is understood Mr Rock, who was elected to the Dáil for the Dublin North-West constituency in 2016 before losing his seat in 2020, has been approached and is seriously considering a run for Europe.

Ms O'Connell said she has not yet been approached by the party.