Ming to throw hat into European ring

The latest candidate to throw a hat in the ring is Roscommon's Luke Ming Flanagan, pictured.

And, irony of ironies, he's running on a largely anti-European ticket.

But is he really looking to boost the Independents' presence in the next Dail?

He said: "I believe Ireland needs to elect people to the European Parliament who carry with them the message that we have gone too far with this 'European project'.

"I also, if elected, plan to build on that potential voter base and to create a political environment whereby we could see another 10 independents elected from this region to Dáil Éireann in the spring of 2016."

Among rural voters in the sprawling Midlands North West constituency likely to support Mr Flanagan are the turf cutters, of whom he has been a staunch supporter.

Mr Flanagan said Ireland is "now no longer a member of a community.

"We are a member of a Union, a Union which kicked us when we were down.

"A Union that took the side of the bond holders and left us with a bill of €70billion.

"We heard rejoicing from this government on supposedly regaining our sovereignty.

"The truth is we are now on a road to giving it up for ever.

"I believe the future of Ireland and Europe is best served without the Euro currency.

"The only country that it currently serves is Germany and one country is not Europe."