Ex-FF minister of state Conor Lenihan would consider political return

Former minister of state Conor Lenihan has said he would consider running for Fianna Fáil again if asked by the party.

Mr Lenihan, a brother of the late former minister for finance Brian Lenihan, said he would think about returning to politics if approached by the party.

He told RTÉ Radio on Monday that he had no immediate plans to seek election again but said he would think about it if an offer was received.

“I was proud and privileged to be elected as a Dáil deputy and I would never rule it out,” Mr Lenihan said. “If people were interested in having me run, I would look at it. The country needs leadership.”

Mr Lenihan lost his seat in Dublin South West in 2011 and has since been working as vice-president of the Skolkovo Foundation, a Kremlin-backed technology hub being built in Moscow.

He is currently writing a book on former taoiseach Charlie Haughey.

Mr Haughey’s son, Cllr Seán Haughey, said Mr Lenihan informed him of the publication a number of weeks ago.

He said he would be interested to read his former colleague’s take on his father.

However, Cllr Haughey said a publication by Prof Gary Murphy had the consent of the family and had insight from of some of his father’s papers.

“Conor’s book will be an interesting read. His father and mine were life-long friends,” he said. “And Conor and I worked very close when we were both ministers of state so I am looking forward to reading it.”