McFadden unlikely to replace possible European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness

Speculation that former TD and Senator Gabrielle McFadden could be in line for a return to full-time politics as a replacement MEP for likely new European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness appears to be off the mark.

McGuinness is hot favourite to replace Phil Hogan as Ireland's representative on the European Commission.

She was proposed for nomination by the Government today as Member of the European Commission along with Andrew McDowell, who was until recently Vice President of the European Investment Bank.

McGuinness, is Vice President of the European Parliament, and an MEP for Midlands-North West.

If Mairead McGuinness is appointed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, her replacement as MEP comes from an ordered replacement list submitted as part of her candidature for the Midlands-North West constituency election last year.

There has been talk in political circles that McFadden could be in line up to take the MEP seat if it was to be vacated by McGuinness.

However, the Westmeath Independent has learned that this scenario is unlikely as one of the candidates above her on the replacement list is interested in the role.

McFadden is fourth on the list to replace McGuinness, but two of those above her are effectively out of the running.

The first name on the replacement list is Maria Walsh, who herself was also elected an MEP at the last European Parliament election and therefore not a candidate.

Next on the replacement list is Louth Fine Gael county councillor Colm Markey, who is the likely replacement MEP should McGuinness be chosen as the new commissioner.

Markey told the Westmeath Independent that if vacancy arises he would certainly be interested in it.

After that comes Frank Feighan, who was elected as a TD for Sligo/Leitrim at the last general election and given he was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy only in July, he is also unlikely to be available.

McFadden follows as the fourth replacement option. However, she is behind Markey in the replacement sequence.