THE FINE Gael Munster MEP and former president of the GAA Seán Kelly said he “certainly will consider” the challenge of running for the presidency, were he to receive the Fine Gael nomination.
However, Mr Kelly said he expected that former taoiseach John Bruton would be the ‘‘automatic candidate” for the party.
Mr Kelly was speaking on Radio Kerry yesterday where he was asked to comment on speculation in a Sunday newspaper that his presence alongside Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny on a visit to the North signalled an interest in the presidency.
The MEP said he was aware that he was being spoken of as a possible candidate for the party, indeed had been approached by “a number” of TDs and Senators, as well as councillors.
It was not something he had on his agenda but he certainly would consider it if the party approached him. “If you are too ambitious for it [the presidency] you are probably the wrong candidate,” Mr Kelly said.