The Republic has 15 MEPs and the North has three. On January 15th, they will be among the 626 members who will vote in Strasbourg to elect a new president of the European Parliament, to succeed France's Nicole Fontaine for the next two and half years. There are five candidates for this highly prestigious (if not powerful) post, and the front runners are Munster MEP Pat Cox and UK Labour's David Martin. So will the Irish support the Irish? Not necessarily. The six FF MEPs - Gerry Collins, Niall Andrews, Jim Fitzsimons, Liam Hyland, Brian Crowley and Pat the Cope Gallagher - are fully behind Cox. The four FG MEPs - Mary Banotti, John Cushnahan, Avril Doyle and Joe McCartin - are also backing him, but have less choice in the matter because of the deal which exists between their group, Fontaine's EPP and Cox's Liberals.
The Greens may be split. Leinster's Nuala Ahern will vote for Cox. Dublin's Patricia McKenna said the Greens, in Europe and in Ireland, haven't decided and will discuss the matter in January. "I will not make up my mind until later. I have never been inclined to vote for someone because they are wearing the Irish jersey. My decision will be based on politics."
Dana didn't respond to Quidnunc's queries. The sole Irish socialist in Europe - Labour's Proinsias De Rossa - is definitely backing Martin and has told Cox so.
In the North, unionist Jim Nicholson will "most likely vote for Cox as an Irishman". His Conservative group, while lining up with Cox against the socialists, is somewhat split as the rival is a Scot. Ian Paisley says he is not disclosing his hand, but there are indications he may back the Irishman. John Hume didn't respond to queries but, as a socialist MEP, he may back the Scotsman.
Eighteen votes, one way or the other, are miniscule among 626 but, as only members who turn up and vote on the day are counted and a very tight result is expected, all votes are crucial. However, it's a secret ballot. Cox himself says he is "cautiously confident."