Fine Gael is increasingly hopeful that former Limerick West TD, Senator Michael Finucane will stand for the party in the European Parliament elections in the South constituency.
However, Fine Gael has yet to decide whether Cork North Central TD, Mr Bernard Allen, or his Cork South Central colleague, Mr Simon Coveney will carry the party flag in the southern half of the constituency.
Mr Finucane, who lost his Dáil seat in the 2002 general election by the narrowest of margins, has been in discussions about running for some time.
The party's selection convention will be held on February 29th, though nominations must be received by the middle of the month.
The Newcastlewest-based politician has been encouraged to run by the party's outgoing MEP, Mr John Cushnahan, who is not running again. However, Mr Finucane has already made it clear that he would not be 'a sweeper' to collect votes for a Cork-based colleague to gather up on later counts. "I have not made my mind up yet. I have not yet had a chance to talk to Enda Kenny, or Phil Hogan (the party's director of elections) about this," he told The Irish Times.
"There are lots of things that would have to be decided, the division of the constituency would be one of them. What sort of division would there be?"
He said he was content to serve in the Seanad for now: "I am happy with what I am doing. Being an MEP has not featured in my plans up to now. My main objective was to maintain my profile in the constituency and get the Dáil seat back in the next general election," he said.
The South constituency, which has lost Co Clare, will send three MEPs to Brussels, down one on the four returned by the outgoing Munster constituency. Tipperary-based Mr Rickard Deasy is contesting strongly for a nomination and has made it clear that he will bring the issue to a vote at a selection convention.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael still retains hopes that former leader, Mr John Bruton will change his mind and run for the party in Dublin despite speculation that he is in line to become the EU's representative in Washington.
Fine Gael sources yesterday said that Mr Bruton had not raised the possibility that he might take the US posting with the party leader, Mr Kenny.
Mr Bruton has previously ruled out running for the European Parliament. If he does not change his mind, FG is likely to choose former Minister for Justice, Mrs Nora Owen.
The former Dublin North TD has not yet thrown her hat into the ring, though it is known that she is interested.
