Fianna Fáil is facing severe difficulties in getting high-profile candidates to contest the North-West constituency in next summer's European elections.
It is understood that the Galway-based Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Frank Fahey, is now extremely reluctant to run. He is one of a number of Junior Ministers in the region who have given a lukewarm response to requests from party headquarters to contest the elections.
Mr Fahey and the Donegal-based Minister of State for Transport, Dr Jim McDaid, were originally mentioned as the Fianna Fáil team in the constituency, formerly known as Connacht-Ulster. However, Dr McDaid informed the Taoiseach some time ago that he was not interested in running.
Mr Fahey's reluctance to run may be due to an unwillingness to challenge his Galway West constituency colleague, Mr Sean Ó Neachtain, who was co-opted to the Parliament when Mr Pat "The Cope" Gallagher was elected to the Dáil for Donegal South West in the 2002 general election.
Mr Ó Neachtain has indicated that he is interested in seeking a nomination to retain his seat.
There is speculation Sligo-based senator Mr Marc MacSharry may seek a nomination. Mr MacSharry is son of former European Commissioner Mr Ray MacSharry.
Fianna Fáil sources indicated yesterday they may be seeking a stronger team. Mr MacSharry is serving his first term in the Seanad, and Mr Ó Neachtain has never served in the Oireachtas.
The other two seats are held by Fine Gael's Mr Joe McCartin and Independent Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon.
Mr McCartin is retiring, and is expected to be replaced on the ticket by Mayo-based senator Mr Jim Higgins, and former TD and senator Ms Madeleine Taylor-Quinn, who is from Clare which is now part of the constituency.
Sligo-Leitrim TD Ms Marian Harkin, who ran in the last European elections, is considering whether to run.
