The Cork North Central TD and former Minister for Sport in the John Bruton-led coalition of 1994-97, Mr Bernard Allen, will tender his nomination on Monday for the Fine Gael leadership. Mr Allen said last night he intends to run a positive campaign against the other three contestants, Mr Jim Mitchell, Mr Michael Noonan and Mr Enda Kenny. "I believe Fine Gael now needs a unifying force," he said, pledging he would not conduct a negative campaign. "Enough damage has been done to the party already. I will put the emphasis on the positive aspects that I believe make me a valid contender. I know I'm up against it, but I'm determined to convince my colleagues between Monday and Friday that I'm the one."
Mr Allen intends to place the emphasis on electoral success and sees himself as a "proven winner" through his ability to deliver two seats for Fine Gael in a mixed rural-urban constituency. Born in 1944, he was first elected to the Dail in 1981 and became his party's spokesman on health in opposition under Alan Dukes's leadership, a post he relinquished when he became Lord Mayor of Cork in 1988. Under John Bruton's leadership he was in turn Fine Gael spokesman on social welfare and environmental policy. He was tipped for a cabinet post in the "rainbow" coalition but ended up with a junior ministry - sport. "Naturally I was disappointed, having delivered two seats in a very difficult constituency."
But he has never lost an election, Mr Allen says: "My strength is my proven election record, which I believe can be translated into success at national level."