THE SURPRISE decision by outgoing IFA President John Bryan not to run for the European Parliament later this year has cause the resurfacing of a local name who had been thought to have ruled out his interest in running earlier this year.

Chief Whip and Minister of State Paul Kehoe ruled out his intention to run citing commitments to being at the cabinet table and having a young family as the reasons not to take on the run this time.

However, the decision by Mr. Bryan not to run has caused political commentators to begin deliberating again over a potential south-eastern candidate for the Fine Gael party.

The names mentioned so far include Simon Harris, John Paul Phelan, John Deasy and Minister Kehoe. Should any of these run and get elected in May, a by-election in that area would have to be held within six months of the election.

Speaking to The Echo, Minister Kehoe said that he was now reconsidering a run and was yet to make a decision. He had yet to speak to family, Dáil and local supporters in relation to the run.

He described Mr. Bryan’s decision not to run as a “big shock”.

The Fine Gael selection convention takes place on Sunday and it is expected that Sean Kelly and Deirdre Clune will be selected with a third person to be added later.

It is understood that the hierarchy of the Fine Gael party have approached Minister Kehoe about running in May.