Flanagan backs Noonan bid for Fine Gael leadership

Fine Gael's chief whip, Charlie Flanagan, will not be contesting the party leadership and is to support Michael Noonan's bid. In a statement today, Deputy Flanagan, who represents the Laois Offaly constituency, said that he had been encouraged to run for the leadership by party colleagues and the party organisation in his constituency, but he had decided not to do so on this occasion. He said that there was now an excellent choice of candidates presenting themselves for election. He added that he believed Michael Noonan was the best choice to lead the party at "this critical time" and would be voting for Mr Noonan.

Young Fine Gael has also endorsed Michael Noonan as their choice for party leader. Ada Gould, National President of Young Fine Gael said of Mr Noonan, "He has an excellent rapport with young people and I am confident that with him as leader, Fine Gael will be a party of great appeal to this important sector of the electorate".

Bernard Allen, the Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, yesterday announced that he will be a candidate in the leadership election to find a successor to John Bruton. He told RTÉ News that he would be handing in his nomination following approaches from a number of his party colleagues. He said that he was the party's poll topper in Cork and had a good political track record. Speaking on the RTÉ radio, he also said that social justice would be a key policy issue.

Earlier, Fine Gael TD, Enda Kenny, said that he intended to electrify the party if elected to the position of leader. The Mayo TD said that he had a proven record and would come to the job with no baggage, but was no lightweight either. He said that he had been approached to stand by people who both supported and opposed last week's motion of no confidence, which resulted in John Bruton's resignation. He also said that he regarded Fine Gael as a Nationalist party, something which, he said, had not been spelt out fully by Mr Bruton. Mr Kenny said that he had a long tradition of dealing with Nationalism, as well as a record of understanding other people's points of view.

So far, four frontbenchers have confirmed their intention to stand for the leadership, which will be decided by the parliamentary party next week. They are Mr Allen, Mr Kenny, Mr Noonan and Jim Mitchell. The election follows the resignation of John Bruton after a motion of no confidence in him was carried by 39 votes to 33.