Mr Kelleher has been the Member of Parliament for the South of Ireland since being elected to the European Parliament in 2019.
Mr Kelleher said he was “honored” to have been chosen as a candidate for the European general election. “It is imperative that Ireland has the strongest possible voice in the next European Parliament. We need Irish MPs with the ability to influence legislation in Ireland’s favor. “I am honored to be chosen as Fianna Fail’s candidate in the election,” he said.
“Europe is important to Ireland,” said the Cork politician. “The prosperity of our country is inextricably linked to the success of the European Union. As an Irish Member of Parliament, I will always support Ireland’s mission, staying true to our shared values of democracy, equality, free and fair markets and the rule of law. We will protect our interests.
He added: “I’m really looking forward to the next four months of campaigning and I look forward to working with local candidates and party members to win the election.” An Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil’s Michael Martin said: ‘Billy has campaigned on a forward-thinking agenda and is giving Ireland a strong and effective voice in Brussels. , and will demonstrate the extensive work he has already done as a member of Congress, should he be re-elected.” Billy will continue to be an effective voice for Ireland in Brussels and positively shape our future in Europe. ”
Fianna Fail European elections director and housing minister Darragh O’Brien praised Mr Kelleher’s “experienced” voice in Europe. “Billy Kelleher has a committed and experienced voice in Europe. His policy areas of focus go beyond his EU politics, including taxation, consumer issues and protecting rural areas. Each has an impact on real life in the south of Ireland.”
Mr Kelleher previously served as Minister of State for Trade and Commerce from 2009 to 2011 and Minister of State for Labor Affairs from 2007 to 2009.
He served as TD for Cork North Central constituency from 1997 to 2019 and was also a member of the House of Lords from 1993 to 1997.
The European elections will be held on the same day as local elections in June this year.
Ireland currently has 13 members in the European Parliament. However, the number of Ireland’s next MEPs will rise to 14 after next year’s elections. Additional seats have been allocated to the Midlands North West constituency.
The current members of the South constituency are Deirdre Clune (FG), Billy Kelleher (FF), Sean Kelly (FG), Grace O’Sullivan (Green Party) and Mick Wallace (Independent 4th Amendment).
Cork County MP Deirdre Clune, who was first elected to Parliament in 2014, recently announced that she would not stand for election again.
Names suggested to stand for Fine Gael in the south of Ireland at the next election include Senator Gerry Buttimer, Cork North Central TD Colm Burke and Wexford TD Paul Keogh. It will be done.
They could potentially run alongside incumbent Congressman Sean Kelly.
Sinn Féin has selected Senator Paul Gavin as their candidate for the South of Ireland, while Cian Prendiville has been announced as their People Before Profit candidate for the South of Ireland.