THE CHOICE of Senator Deirdre de Búrca as Green Party candidate in the Dublin constituency for next year's European elections was formally ratified at a selection convention in Liberty Hall at the weekend.
On the impasse over the Lisbon Treaty, Ms de Búrca told The Irish Times: "The priority must be to protect Ireland's position and influence within the European Union, and to consider the negative consequences for the country if we unplug ourselves from the EU at this time of great international financial insecurity."
When asked why she was running in Dublin rather than Leinster, the former Wicklow County Councillor said: "The Green Party's support base is strongest in Dublin."
Pointing out that the Greens held a European seat in Dublin for 10 years from 1994, she added: "I am convinced that the Green Party stands a very good chance of winning it back in June 2009."
Asked for her attitude to a possible challenge from former Green MEP for Dublin Patricia McKenna, she said: "I don't see any great problem if she does run, but obviously she would have to do so outside of the Green Party.
"Patricia has her own supporters and they are of a particular persuasion. I am quite a different candidate and believe I will appeal to voters who are pro-European but who still have very real concerns about some aspects of the European Union."
Although the Senator and her party supported the Lisbon Treaty, they were on the No side in previous referendums, but Ms de Búrca rejects the charge of being a "turncoat".
"While we focused in the past mainly on the flaws of the EU, the changing geopolitical situation means that we now see a vital role for a progressive transnational body like the EU, on the global stage, " Ms de Búrca said.
Roderic O'Gorman and David Gearey have been chosen as first and second MEP replacements for Ms de Búrca.
