It has been confirmed that Kilkenny Fine Gael Senator John Paul Phelan is to run in the European elections this June.
Senator Phelan is being endorsed by outgoing Fine Gael MEP Avril Doyle who is vacating her seat this year.
It had been speculated that Senator Phelan would be interested in the challenge that Europe would pose and he says that he is delighted to have been offered the support from the party and particularly from Avril Doyle.
“I have been thinking about the prospect since Avril announced her retirement from her seat and it was a bonus that she proposed me for election. I am thrilled at the challenge and I hope that Fine Gael will have two seats in Europe if both Mairead McGuinness and I are elected.”
Of course Kilkenny is already represented in Europe by Fianna Fail MEP Liam Aylward, however, John Paul believes that there is more than enough room for two MEPs from Kilkenny.
“Two MEPs from Kilkenny is a viable option for the East. The location is very important. I live in south Kilkenny, went to school in Wexford and represent Carlow and Kilkenny in the Senate so I will be a good representative for the East from that point of view as I am very familiar with the area.”
Senator Phelan is confident that he will gain the 60,000 votes required to secure a seat in Europe. “It’s been done before and there is even more a move towards Europe in recent times amongst the public because there is such antipathy towards the government.
Europe is going to be a very important part of our future. There is an increasing amount of our legislation coming from Europe now and I want to have a say in what that will be. I believe that we will have an enhanced role with Lisbon and it is my wish to become a part of that,” said Senator Phelan.
The selection process will take place on March 29 in Newbridge.
