Dempsey expected to seek FF nomination, despite speculation

Minister for Transport and Meath West TD Noel Dempsey is expected to seek a nomination as a candidate in the forthcoming general election, despite his refusal this week to confirm that he would stand. Fianna Fail sources have said that Mr Dempsey was preparing to be nominated as a Fianna Fail candidate and they fully expected him to stand for the party. Speculation over the future intentions of a number of senior politicians has mounted since the Minister for Justice and Louth Fianna Fail TD Dermot Ahern announced that he will not be a candidate in the next general election. Mr Dempsey told Newstalk's Breakfast Programme on Monday that he had not finalised any decision on his candidacy and would be making up his mind over the Christmas period. He told the programme: “I'm in politics and was always in politics out of conviction. I don't think politics is working as well as it should in the current circumstances. I think now is the time for something other than politics.†When asked if he was hinting that he might leave the political stage, he said no inference should be drawn from what he had said. Nothing should be read into what he had said other than the decision would be made after Christmas. He added: “I normally go through procedures of the party before, and talk to the party before, I'd make any announcement one way or the other.†He said the convention for the Meath West constituency would be held early next month. Mr Dempsey (57) has been involved in politics since the early 1970s, initially as a town councillor in Trim and a county councillor. He was first elected to the Dail in 1987 and has served separate terms as Minister for Environment, Education, Communications and Transport.