Labour MEP wants to quit Brussels and run for Dáil

Sully

THE Labour Party MEP for Ireland South Alan Kelly wants to leave Brussels less than two years after he was elected and win a Dáil seat in Tipperary north instead.

In June 2009 he won a European Parliament seat to represent five of the six munster counties.

At that time he denied accusations it was a "PR exercise" to build his profile ahead of a Dáil run.

"It is my firm intention to serve the full five years as an MEP if elected," he said at the time.

Now he said he is willing to walk away from Brussels and contest the newly expanded three-seat constituency of Tipperary north/Offaly south.

Mr Kelly said he began talking about a possible campaign with Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore in September but the pace at which the political climate was changing meant that he had to declare now.

"It wasn’t an easy decision. I am very committed to the work I am doing in Europe... but at the end of today a decision had to be made and I decided the best I can do for the Labour Party, myself and Irish politics is to contest north Tipp," he said.

He denied the timing of his decision was to put pressure on his local rival Michael Lowry, one of the two independent deputies the Government needs to pass the budget.

Should Mr Kelly oust one of the sitting candidates in the constituency and become a TD he will have to resign as an MEP.

The seat will automatically pass to one of his replacement panel, led by Arthur Spring in Kerry north. He is followed by Phil Prendergast in Tipperary south, Joe Leddin in Limerick and finally councillor Virginia O’Dowd in North Tipperary.

Cllr Spring, Senator Prendergast and Cllr Leddin are all hopeful of winning seats in the general election. If they are successful this would rule them out of the running.

During the press event to unveil him, party leader Eamon Gilmore also revealed Senator Ivana Bacik has indicated she wants to be his running mate in Dún Laoghaire. Last year she failed to win a seat for the party in the Dublin central by-election.

The news came as Fine Gael announced the retirement of its third sitting TD in as many days.

Ulick Burke said he would not be contesting the seat in Galway east, which he first won in 1997 but relinquished in 2002 only to regain it in 2007.

He followed his constituency colleague, Paul Connaughton, and Seymour Crawford (Cavan Monaghan) who signalled their intentions this week. All three said they believed it was time to allow a younger generation to come forward.

It means in two constituencies Fine Gael has lost two sitting TDs.

Both of the party’s Cork south west TDs Jim O’Keeffe and PJ Sheehan are also retiring ahead of the election.

Picture: Labour’s Alan Kelly pictured with party leader Eamon Gilmore following his election to the European Parliament last year. Picture: Des Barry

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, November 27, 2010


Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.ie/ireland/politics/labour-mep-wants-to-quit-brussels-and-run-for-dail-137791.html#ixzz18fBFKykG

I cant see this discussed anywhere else, just spotted it when looking up MEPs parliament hours but I think this is appalling.

Kelly was elected by the people to represent them in Europe for the full term, not less then half of it. It seems like it was a publicity stunt all along - he denies it, says he will serve the full term and then drops like a fly when a position in the Dail looks likely with Labour desperately looking for candidates to run.

Plus - he gets to keep his seat in Europe if he fails to get elected.

Essexboy

Just the flip side of Pat "The Dope" Gallagher who abandoned the Dáil for Europe

later12

Of course it was a publicity stunt. Alan Kelly is a fantastic man for publicity, as his brother incidentally. He is also one of the most able young politicians on the political stage right now. The fact that he intended on running for election would have been (or should have been) very clear to voters in the course of the European elections.

He will be a good asset to Labour not just because of his youth in a rapidly ageing party, but also following on their absolutely abysmal failure to take an easy seat from FG or even FF in north Tipperary over the past 14 years even with a sitting senator. They should be positively ejaculating about this. They really can't afford to f*ck it up.

leeroybrown

If I were an politician in one of the opposition parties, I'd almost certainly want to be in the Dáil and not the European Parliament right now. Good luck to him.

Sesshoumaru

He's not required to keep his job in Europe of course. But he was hired by his employer (the people) to do a job in Europe. If I had voted for him to be an MEP in Europe and he quit half way through, I would have second thoughts about giving him my vote to sit in the Dail.

later12

Well maybe the good people of Tipperary North, who have most recently elected such geniuses as Máire Hoctor and Michael Lowry might decide to instead nominate one or both of the aforementioned to Brussels/ Mongolia (delete as appropriate) in Alan's place

Fr Tod Umptious

Joe Higgins will do the very same

Dirk Gently

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Joe Higgins will do the very same

He never said any different. Anyone voting for Higgins knew he would stand for Dáil elections mid euro term because that's exactly what he told them he'd do.

mikemac

Sully wrote: »

I cant see this discussed anywhere else, just spotted it

We had that article in Tipperary forum weeks ago

As a constituent, I'd confidently predict he'll get elected. In this order;

Michael Lowry Ind
Alan Kelly Lab
Noel Coonan FG

Coonan wouldn't have half the profile of the other two but he'll get in. Realy, I never hear anything about Coonan, an anonymous backbencher.

Máire Hoctor is a goner and that's the seat that Alan Kelly will take

Tipp North is or always was a bit of a FF stronghold. Often returning Michael Smith and his running mate. Labour were never strong. Not in the last decade and a half.

But Alan Kelly will get a seat for sure

later10 wrote: »

Well maybe the good people of Tipperary North, who have most recently elected such geniuses as Máire Hoctor

Sure few here could talk confidently on national TV and Miriam herself said "Don't worry at all, I'm always doing that".
She will lose her seat but that interview won't be the reason why

later12

feelingstressed wrote: »

We had that article in Tipperary forum weeks ago

As a constituent, I'd confidently predict he'll get elected. In this order;

Michael Lowry Ind
Alan Kelly Lab
Noel Coonan FG

Coonan wouldn't have half the profile of the other two but he'll get in. Realy, I never hear anything about Coonan, an anonymous backbencher.

Máire Hoctor is a goner and that's the seat that Alan Kelly will take

Tipp North is or always was a bit of a FF stronghold. Often returning Michael Smith and his running mate. Labour were never strong. Not in the last decade and a half.

But Alan Kelly will get a seat for sure

Sure few here could talk confidently on national TV and Miriam herself said "Don't worry at all, I'm always doing that".
She will lose her seat but that interview won't be the reason why

Well as you know, as North Tipperary votes, so does the nation.
However I think a FF wipeout in Tipperary North is as unlikely as it is nationally. There is still too much broad support and the constituency has suffered no serious bigtime economic job losses apart from the satellite effect of Dell. People still vote along very traditional lines and there is a sizeable and impressive rural allegiance to Fianna Fail who have at least been seen as being good to the agricultural economy over the past number of years.

I was quite honestly shocked when Kathleen O'Meara failed to get elected there on two occasions despite a growing urban population. The unfortunate thing for Alan Kelly, as with Kathleen O'Meara is that his base is in probably the most significant FF stronghold of Nenagh.

Nevertheless, I expect the result of the next election to be Ind, FF, Lab. For once I think that the constituency will fail to deliver a national trend and not for the first time, will not return a FG candidate.

The most interesting vote to watch in North Tipp, however, would be the SF one, Seamus Morris won't get elected but if anyone damages the FF and Independent Lowry vote he could.

mikemac

A fair point, Noel Coonan from FG may have got elected last time and you'd think FG would do well in the next election but he isn't a strong candidate at all.

He may well lose out to a FF candidate. Whether that will be Maire Hocter or someone new, I don't know.
The selection committees are ongoing at the moment

Kathleen O'Meara was a very capable public speaker and one of the better known senators but just could not manage a Dail seat despite a few attempts. She'll be replaced now on the Labour ballot but who knows, she is young and may get elected some day

(Using windows here, I normally use a mac so don't know how to add a fada)

mikemac

later10 wrote: »

Well as you know, as North Tipperary votes, so does the nation.

You know it! :cool:

The_Minister

later10 wrote: »

The fact that he intended on running for election would have been (or should have been) very clear to voters in the course of the European elections.

So the Labour Party line is "You should have known we were lying, seriously, it was obvious"?

If it was so obvious that he was being disingenuous, then why did he feel the need to say it?

later12

feelingstressed wrote: »

A fair point, Noel Coonan from FG may have got elected last time and you'd think FG would do well in the next election but he isn't a strong candidate at all.

He may well lose out to a FF candidate. Whether that will be Maire Hocter or someone new, I don't know.

Do you happen to know who her running mates in FF are likely to be or when that is about to be decided? John Hanafin I would guess?

The_Minister wrote:

So the Labour Party line is "You should have known we were lying, seriously, it was obvious"?

If it was so obvious that he was being disingenuous, then why did he feel the need to say it?

This is simply how politics works, this is the reality. He ran for Europe mainly, in my opinion, to raise his political profile. Nobody close to his campaign doubted his selection for the next election which, by the way, was supposed to have been 2012. I doubt many of those voting for him doubted he would run in North Tipperary either, especially those in that constituency. He is *the* opportunity for Labour there and probably their only realistic opportunity for a (Junior) Minister in the next election.

mikemac

later10 wrote: »

Do you happen to know who her running mates in FF are likely to be or when that is about to be decided? John Hanafin I would guess?

Hoctor and Michael Smith Jr (another dynasty!)

At most, there is enough support to get one elected, not two.
You would think Máire Hoctor will get the nomination and she may well get it but she's far from a certain bet to get elected.

Her support base around Nenagh isn't as strong, the hospital issues made national news and Seamus Morris will take votes.
And Alan Kelly also, Portroe just 10km from Nenagh

Whereas Michael Smith Jr is based nearer the Offaly side and has support around Templemore. Noel Coonan is vulnerable and there are votes there to be grabbed.

It's all very interesting to watch

Since FF were founded there has never been an election where FF didn't have somebody elected in Tipp North. Hard to know if that tradition will be broken for the first time ever

jonnybravo

As far as I know John Hanafin isn't going for nomination - its John Hogan plus Hoctor plus Smith Jnr (http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/Cou...-FF.6653103.jp). Probably run 2 out of those.

Honestly think FF will struggle to get a person elected here. Last time out they got the last position without reaching the quota and this time they're suppose should be lower. Hoctors main base is around Nenagh and she would have lost a lot of votes over the Nenagh hospital and her general ineptness.

You'd expect Kelly to pick up a lot of votes & get elected. Also as others have said many expected him to run in the general election so it wasn't a huge surprise for him to be running. He appears to a level above any of the other politicans running in North Tipp (not that that would be too hard!!).

The_Minister

later10 wrote: »

This is simply how politics works, this is the reality. He ran for Europe mainly, in my opinion, to raise his political profile. Nobody close to his campaign doubted his selection for the next election which, by the way, was supposed to have been 2012. I doubt many of those voting for him doubted he would run in North Tipperary either, especially those in that constituency. He is *the* opportunity for Labour there and probably their only realistic opportunity for a (Junior) Minister in the next election.

He was specifically asked about this issue.

He denied that this was just a stepping stone.

You are saying that he intended this all along.

That means that he lied.

If you truly 'doubt many of those voting for him doubted he would run in North Tipperary' then why did he feel the need to lie and say he would not run?

If it really didn't matter, then he would not have needed to lie.

later12

wow, a politician who was economical with the truth.
frankly, i'm as shocked as you are, poster.

come on. this is politics, not a girl scouts board selection committee.

mikemac

The_Minister wrote: »

He was specifically asked about this issue.

He denied that this was just a stepping stone.

You are saying that he intended this all along.

Pretty much anyone who voted for him knew he was going to try for a Dáil seat. His announcement shocked nobody

I wouldn't call it a lie, he was going for an election and won. And he'll win again this time

later12

jonnybravo wrote: »

As far as I know John Hanafin isn't going for nomination - its John Hogan plus Hoctor plus Smith Jnr (http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/Cou...-FF.6653103.jp). Probably run 2 out of those.

Honestly think FF will struggle to get a person elected here. Last time out they got the last position without reaching the quota and this time they're suppose should be lower. Hoctors main base is around Nenagh and she would have lost a lot of votes over the Nenagh hospital and her general ineptness.

You'd expect Kelly to pick up a lot of votes & get elected. Also as others have said many expected him to run in the general election so it wasn't a huge surprise for him to be running. He appears to a level above any of the other politicans running in North Tipp (not that that would be too hard!!).

Interesting; don't forget the boundary change - South Offaly is as traditionally FF as is North Tipp and it should also bring in a Labour vote... so this will benefit both Lab and FF, and strengthens the case against FG I would suggest.
Noel Coonan could be the big vote loser as the opposition vote goes to Kelly.

So looks like Lowry-Kelly-Smith. Can Hoctor survive?

jonnybravo

later10 wrote: »

Interesting; don't forget the boundary change - South Offaly is as traditionally FF as is North Tipp and it should also bring in a Labour vote... so this will benefit both Lab and FF, and strengthens the case against FG I would suggest.
Noel Coonan could be the big vote loser as the opposition vote goes to Kelly.

So looks like Lowry-Kelly-Smith. Can Hoctor survive?

Also seen in the independent today that FF are only going to run 1 person in North Tipp. Should be interesting to see if Hoctor gets the nod (wouldn't be surprised if she didn't!!!). Think its a wise move for them to only run one and will help them. Think the pressure will be on Coonan.

mikemac

later10 wrote: »

So looks like Lowry-Kelly-Smith. Can Hoctor survive?

Hoctor won't survive, her power base in Nenagh is in trouble.
Surprising considering she served a term, got promoted to junior minister by Bertie and had a bright future with the party not so long ago. And now may get dumped by her party.

I'm would be suprised if Hoctor loses the nomination but then FF are wise in election strategy (to give them their dues) so the wise move may be Smith Jr who can beat Noel Coonan
And he can pull votes from the Offaly border and Templemore area, generally to the east

To go back the OP, Alan Kelly is right by Nenagh, he'll pull a lot of votes from the area, will do what Kathleen O'Meara narrowly couldn't manage. Kathleen O'Meara will have a role in the Seanad though

But then Tipp North always had a FF vote so;
Lowry,
Kelly
FF candidate vs Coonan
Morris as a spoiler, won't get elected but he'll poll decently

I find it fascinating

later12

feelingstressed wrote: »

Kathleen O'Meara will have a role in the Seanad though

Isn't Kathleen O'Meara working in PR now? I had understood she was back living in Dublin again. I'd be surprised if she ever returned to politics, which is a pity; probably one of the most dedicated and honest senators I've ever met and she really took the job seriously. I could never understand her failure to secure a Dail seat and in my mind the only valid explanataion was the strength of the FF vote, even with the likes of the politically hopeless like Hoctor and Smith.

The_Minister

feelingstressed wrote: »

Pretty much anyone who voted for him knew he was going to try for a Dáil seat. His announcement shocked nobody

I wouldn't call it a lie, he was going for an election and won. And he'll win again this time

If that was true then why didn't he just do what Joe Higgins did and be honest about it?

Why not tell the truth?


If it didn't matter either way, then why be deceitful.

imme

I'm shocked that people are surprised by this. He's a politician. Politicians don't always mean what they say, they don't always say what's on their mind, they don't always tell the truth.

why the big surprise?

It shows what people think about Europe more than whether he lied or not.

Nijmegen

"Politican Lies"

There's a headline of Watergate signifigance....

Fact is, our political class are a pack of liars. Almost all of them have lied in one shape or another. "Economical with the truth," isn't that the polite way to put it?

retro2011

we need people like alan kelly at home our brightest and most talented needed here cop yourself on he won a european seat he was a fantastic candidate who put life into what normally are dull affairs