Presidency is a solemn seat, not a football for political opportunists

IF Packie Bonner runs for Fianna Fáil in the European Elections, as is rumoured, it will be the political stroke of the year. And further proof that ‘location, location and location’ is as important in politics as it is in property.

Bonner has dismissed such speculation as "absolute nonsense". But it's early days yet. The fact is, the North-West constituency (formerly known as Connacht-Ulster but now including County Clare) poses problems for FF.

Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher topped the poll in 1999 but their second candidate, Noel Treacy was beaten into fifth place by the victorious Dana Rosemary Scallon and her fellow independent Marian Harkin. When Gallagher then accepted a Junior Ministry after the last General Election, giving up his Euro-seat to the largely unknown Seán Ó Neachtain, the prospect of FF retrieving that second seat looked remote.