Fine Gael selects Regina Doherty to run in Dublin in European elections

Doherty defeated junior minister Josepha Madigan and fellow senator Barry Ward to run for seat being vacated by Frances Fitzgerald

Regina Doherty.  Picture: Steve Humphreys/PA 

Fine Gael senator and former social protection minister Regina Doherty will be the party's candidate in Dublin for the upcoming European elections.

The selection convention took place at Dublin City University’s St Patrick’s Campus with more than 600 in attendance on Sunday evening and saw Ms Doherty score an upset victory over junior minister Josepha Madigan and fellow senator Barry Ward.

Ms Doherty, who moved constituencies to Dublin Fingal having lost her seat in Meath East, said that she was "delighted" with the result. The party's MEP, former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald, announced her retirement last year.

Ms Doherty said: “I’m delighted to have been selected as the Fine Gael candidate for the Dublin constituency. 

"It is an honour to be asked by my party members to represent Fine Gael and try to retain a seat in the constituency at the June European elections.

I will be working now to ensure we hold the MEP seat won by Frances Fitzgerald at the 2019 European Elections. 

"Frances has repeatedly demonstrated the influential role she holds in the European Parliament and I intend to build on her work.

“Decisions made in Brussels and Strasbourg affect everyone’s lives in Dublin.

"I want to ensure that Dublin’s voice — the capital of a proud nation — is heard loudly within the European Parliament and to continue the good work of all the Fine Gael MEPs.

“My focus now is on campaigning hard and winning a seat in the Dublin constituency for Fine Gael.” 

Fine Gael’s European director of elections, Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, who chaired the convention, said that the party must work to elect Ms Doherty.

“I’m absolutely delighted that a person of such integrity and ability as Senator Regina Doherty is now our candidate to carry on that work. 

"We must get our team and our voters behind Regina to send her to Brussels.”