John Mullins rules himself out of Dáil bid if he is elected to European Parliament   

John Mullins of Fine Gael at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis at the University of Galway. Picture: Dan Linehan

Fine Gael’s candidate for Ireland South, John Mullins, has ruled out running for the Dáil if he is elected to the European Parliament in June.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Galway, Mr Mullins repeatedly said that his main concentration is his candidacy for the European elections.

“That’s what I put myself forward for," he said. "I believe I am an appropriate European candidate, the reasoning being I‘ve set up offices all over Europe, I’ve done business all over Europe, I’ve negotiated deals all over Europe and dealt with politics all over Europe.” 

The businessman, who is a former CEO of Bord Gáis, had been brought in by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to oversee Fine Gael’s electoral campaigns.

Originally from Bishopstown in Cork, and living in East Cork, he is currently the group chairman of solar energy firm Amarenco and has a long-standing association with Fine Gael.

He had been initially approached by Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney to run for the party in Ireland South, filling the place on the ticket left by outgoing MEP Deirdre Clune.

Asked directly if he intended to run for the Dáil in the upcoming general election, Mr Mullins ruled it out if he is elected to the European Parliament.

There had been speculation about whether Mr Mullins might contest the general election in Cork East, where sitting Fine Gael TD David Stanton is due to stand down at the end of this Dáil term.

“I think there are multiple choices for the party post the local elections in terms of people vying for that position. It doesn’t necessarily have to be me,” Mr Mullins said.

Mr Mullins previously put his name forward to run in the Cork North Central by-election in 1994, but was beaten in the selection convention by sitting TD Colm Burke, who was elected to the Dáil in 2020.

Mr Mullins served as CEO of Bord Gáis between 2007 and 2012, as president of Cork Chamber of Commerce from 2011 to 2013 and as chairman of the Port of Cork board from 2013 to 2018.