Barry Cowen will seek Fianna Fáil nomination to run in European elections
Barry Cowen told members of his party last night that he will look to be the party's nominee. File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Laois-Offaly TD Barry Cowen has ended months of speculation by confirming that he will seek the Fianna Fáil nomination to run in next year's European elections.
The Irish Examiner first reported that Mr Cowen was likely to run in the Midlands-North West constituency in July.
Mr Cowen told members of his party last night that he will look to be the party's nominee.
In a statement on Tuesday, he said: "At a special meeting of the Fianna Fáil organisation in Offaly on Monday night, I notified my colleagues that I plan to put my name forward for selection as a candidate for the European Elections next June.
"I will be focused on the ongoing transition led by the EU towards sustainability across many sectors key to our success as an economy - food and farming, energy and enterprise, and making sure Irish views and interests are reflected in EU policies.
"Reinstating a seat or seats in this constituency will be important for the party and I believe I can deliver that having successfully contested many elections with a strong network and family history of pro-European public service.
"I am honoured at the support from the Fianna Fáil organisation, locally and nationally, for me to pursue the nomination and seek to win back a seat for Fianna Fáíl in the Midlands-North-West constituency."
Mr Cowen was named the Agriculture Minister in 2020 but was controversially sacked after only three weeks.
Party sources have speculated that he will be joined on the ticket by senator Lisa Chambers.
