Former MEP and EU commissioner Mairéad McGuinness has a wonderful record representing rural Ireland.
That's the view of Philip Kelly from Magheracloone who is a member of the National Executive of the Fine Gael party.
Mairéad McGuinness is the only person who successfully got the support of at least 20 members of the parliamentary party, 25 councillors, and five members of the party's executive council.
Advertisement
She'll be put forward for ratification at a party event in September. Mr Kelly believes Ms McGuinness has a great chance of becoming the first Fine Gael representative to be elected to the Aras.
He says the former MEP will be excellent president especially for rural areas like Cavan and Monaghan.
