A former minister making a comeback to politics, the expected candidature of an All-Ireland winning football manager and continuing speculation about the intentions of two prominent MEPs will add spice to a series of Fine Gael selection conventions over the next month.
The convention for the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown constituency next Tuesday has been thrown wide open by the decision of former minister Seán Barrett to seek a nomination. Mr Barrett, who served as a TD for the constituency from 1981 to 2002, did not contest the last general election. Fine Gael subsequently ended up with no seat in a constituency that was once a party stronghold.
Mr Barrett's decision to throw his hat into the ring means that there are now four strong candidates in search of the two slots available at the convention. A third candidate may be added to the ticket at a later stage.
The other candidates are Eugene Regan, John Bailey and Marie Baker, three councillors first elected in 2004. Mr Regan is a prominent figure in the European Movement who worked in the EU Commission and has been endorsed by former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald.
Mr Bailey, the chairman of the Dublin GAA board, has built up a strong local base in the constituency party, while Marie Baker, who made a real impact in her first election contest, is the only candidate from the Blackrock end of the constituency and the only women seeking a nomination.
A convention to select the ticket in the Mayo constituency of party leader Enda Kenny, will take place on June 11th. Mr Kenny and his Dáil colleague Michael Ring are assured of nominations. There is intense speculation that John O'Mahony, who brought the Galway footballers to two All-Ireland victories, will seek a nomination.
Mr O'Mahony, a native of Ballaghaderreen, also brought his native county of Mayo to an All-Ireland final and guided Leitrim to a Connacht title. He has received strong encouragement from Fine Gael headquarters to enter the contest. A fourth candidate from the Ballina area will also be selected.
A selection convention will also be held in Donegal South West on June 11th. The sitting TD, Dinny McGinley, is being challenged by Cllr Terence Slowey, in a constituency which will see a strong challenge from Sinn Féin at the next election.
There is still some doubt about the intentions of MEPs Gay Mitchell and Maireád McGuinness. Mr Mitchell is expected to run in Dublin South Central. If Ms McGuinness decides to run, she is likely to go in Meath West alongside sitting Fine Gael TD, Damien English.
The convention will not be held until the autumn.
