Noel Rock and Kate O'Connell form Fine Gael 'dream team' European ticket
Fine Gael is eyeing up a 'dream team' European ticket of former TDs Noel Rock and Kate O'Connell. Picture: Gareth Chaney Collins
Fine Gael is eyeing up a "dream team" European ticket of former TDs Noel Rock and Kate O'Connell.
The party is now looking to fill the ticket in the Dublin region ahead of next year's election after Frances Fitzgerald announced that she will not be running for another term in Brussels.
While there has already been significant interest within Fine Gael with Barry Ward, Josepha Madigan, Regina Doherty, and Emer Curry all the subject of speculation, senior sources have said the party are acutely aware that it will have to put up strong candidates to retain the seat.
One Minister said: "Rock - O'Connell would be a very appealing ticket, they are two high profile individuals who were unlucky to miss out [in the 2020 general election]."
The Minister added that geographically the dual ticket would ensure the party is represented on the north side by Mr Rock and in the south Dublin area by Ms O'Connell.
Another party source said: "There would be a potential for Kate to grow the vote on one side of the [political] spectrum and Rock to grow it on the other side of the spectrum."
However, another TD warned that given previous controversies surrounding the outspoken pharmacist there would be an "associated cost with platforming Kate".
"She created an environment where she excluded herself. It's an awful shame because she was a very good operator," the TD added.
But another party source said putting Ms O'Connell forward in the European elections would provide "an elegant solution to the current impasse" within the party.
It is understood Mr Rock who was elected to the Dáil for the Dublin North-West constituency in 2016 before losing his seat in 2020, has been approached and is seriously considering a run for Europe.
Ms O'Connell said she has not yet been approached by the party.
Former Dublin Bay South TD said: "I have not given it much thought yet, I wasn't expecting Frances [Fitzgerald] to not run again."
It is expected that the party will wait until the European constituency boundaries are announced by the Electoral Commission and candidates will then have to get through a convention to be formally added to the ticket.
Ms Fitzgerald last week announced she will not run in next year's European Elections, ending a long political career.
