Fionnan Sheahan: O'Rourke joins nephew Lenihan in election battle
Mary O'Rourke: has decided to contest her ninth general election
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FIANNA Fail TD Mary O'Rourke last night announced she will run in next year's General Election -- joining her nephew Finance Minister Brian Lenihan in political battle.
A year after his diagnosis with cancer, Mr Lenihan has declared that his condition has stabilised and he will be contesting the election -- which he admits will be difficult for Fianna Fail.
And after speaking with her family over Christmas, Ms O'Rourke has also taken the decision to put her name forward for the Fianna Fail nomination in Longford-Westmeath next week.
The 73-year-old said her family was supportive of her decision to contest her ninth general election.
Ms O'Rourke conceded she was not certain of being elected.
"I'm not. How am I?
"If I win, I win. If I don't, I've a book to write and six brilliant grandchildren," she said.
"We're in their (the voters') hands," she added.
The former cabinet minister said there had been a question mark over whether she would run again.
"Obviously it wasn't the money. If it was the money, I'd be gone. I like political life. I'm interested in public service," she said.
Fianna Fail's selection convention in her constituency will take place next Monday. Ms O'Rourke announced her decision on Twitter, which she admitted she previously had said was only used by politicians "with big egos".
Her announcement comes after Mr Lenihan said his "condition has stabilised" a year on from his cancer diagnosis.
He said he felt things were "so far, so good".
Mr Lenihan added: "I intend to contest the next General Election. My name is being put forward for a convention, which will take place in January, in my own constituency of Dublin West.
"I certainly intend to put my name before the people. After that, of course, they will have to decide."
Mr Lenihan said the General Election would be "very difficult" for Fianna Fail.
"I know that the thousands of members we have all over Ireland are very concerned at the circumstances that the party finds itself in," he said.
- Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor
Irish Independent
