Is Fine Gael looking to Lucinda for Europe?
Touted to replace FG MEP
LUCINDA Creighton is emerging as a surprise possible candidate to replace Brian Hayes in the European Parliament.
It’s understood that some within the party believe she could prove to be the highprofile candidate the party needs to replace Mr Hayes, who is to take up a role with the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland.
Yesterday, Ms Creighton declined to confirm that she would seek a nomination from Fine Gael. The former European Affairs Minister is a close friend of Leo Varadkar and currently acts as a consultant in Brussels.
She was dramatically expelled from the parliamentary party in 2013 and also lost her job as Junior Minister for European Affairs – over her stance on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. Ms Creighton voted against the party whip on a Dáil vote proposing to remove the suicide grounds in the contentious abortion legislation.
She told the Irish Daily Mail yesterday: ‘I’m very pleased with my private sector exploits.’
As Ms Creighton’s name began emerging as a contender last night, some Fine Gael TDs were sceptical that her choice would be popular in a party she had resigned from to set up rival organisation, Renua in March, 2015. The three TDs in the original Renua line-up (Creighton, Billy Timmins and Terence Flanagan) all lost their seats at the next general election and Ms Creighton quit as party leader in May 2016.
Other names being mentioned as a possible replacement for Mr Hayes include Senators Catherine Noone and Neale Richmond, along with Dublin North West TD Noel Rock. The feeling is the party will have to have a genderbalanced ticket of two names.
There has been widespread expectation that former tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald could be named in 2019 as Ireland’s next European Commissioner. However, if Phil Hogan fights hard to stay on, it’s believed she could be persuaded to run as an MEP.
Mr Hayes was one of Fine Gael’s brightest intellects, but never got served at Cabinet after being sidelined by Enda Kenny following the failed leadership heave against him in 2010. His decision yesterday brings to an end to 25 years in front line politics.
‘There comes a time for everyone in politics to leave the stage – now is that time for me,’ he said yesterday. ‘Being elected to public office is a great honour. I have never taken it for granted. I remain deeply grateful to the trust placed in me by the public in each of the eight elections I have contested.
‘It has been a privilege to serve Fine Gael as a councillor, senator, TD, Minister and MEP.’
The 49-year-old will take up his new position next year as he marks his own half-century. ‘I am taking this decision for family and professional reasons. There is life after politics,’ he said.
Mr Hayes said he had informed the Taoiseach of his decision. ‘I want to thank Leo for understanding and respecting my decision. I also want to thank the Fine Gael party for their support during my political career.’
Hayes is leaving politics