The Labour party has selected Mr Gerard Gibbons, the press officer of Ms Bernie Malone MEP, to contest the Euro elections for the party in Connacht/Ulster in June.
Mr Gibbons (32) is from Tuam, Co Galway, and is a graduate in European policy studies from Limerick University. He was unanimously selected at a convention in Sligo yesterday. Prior to working for Ms Malone, he worked for the European Commission.
Speaking at the convention, the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said serious doubts existed about the ability of the current administration to provide the sort of stable and focused national leadership required as Ireland faces a series of important decisions.
The fault lines now ran so deep in Government that it would surely be only a matter of time before the "entire edifice comes crashing down".
Mr Pat `the Cope' Gallagher and Mr Mark Killilea hold two seats in the constituency for Fianna Fail, with Mr Joe McCartan representing Fine Gael in Strasbourg. Mr Killilea will not seek re-election and Fianna Fail has nominated the Minister of State, Mr Noel Treacy, to attempt to replace him.