THE shortlist has been selected for the European of the Year Award and it is nothing if not wide-ranging. On the list (given, of course, in alphabetical order) are: MEP, Mary Banotti; Taoiseach, John Bruton; senior Foreign Affairs official, Noel Dorr; RTE European Correspondent, Tommie Gorman; executive director of the Irish Society for Autism, Pat Matthews and swimmer, Michelle Smith.

The award is granted by the European Movement and previous winners have included Ray MacSharry, Peter Sutherland, Adi Roche, Charles Haughey, Albert Reynolds and Michael Smurfit.

The Margin doesn't know if Paddy Power has worked out the odds yet for this year. The winner will be announced in 10 days' time.