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Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

"Never say never" ... Michael McDowell hints at possible return to politics

McDowell made a definitive statement upon losing his seat in 2007 that his time as a public representative was now over.

FORMER TÁNAISTE AND Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell hinted at a possible return to politics this morning, although he stopped short on speculating how that might occur.

Asked by Miriam O’Callaghan on RTÉ Radio 1 this morning whether he would rule out a return to representative politics, he said:

“Like Charles Stewart Parnell I will never say never.

“I do believe that people who actually like their State, like their Constitution like their democracy should never say ‘I will never do anything’.

“The odds of my being able to play any useful part in the future are diminished from what they were at one stage but I would love to do whatever I can in public life in whatever way I can to make this country work.

And if I have something to offer and if the opportunity came up I would avail of it.

The former Attorney General and justice minister, who has returned to a successful private legal career in recent years, made a definitive statement upon losing his seat in 2007 that his time as a public representative was now over.

The former PD lost his seat to John Gormley of the Greens in that year’s general election.

Earlier in this morning’s radio interview, he said he had had “no part whatsoever” in the formation of either Lucinda Creighton’s Renua Ireland party or the alliance of independents being put together by TD Shane Ross.

Read: Michael McDowell doesn’t think much of the government’s plans to reform the guards

Read: McDowell’s big book and 17 tweets from last night’s Seanad referendum debate 

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63 Comments
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    Mute Fergal Lynch
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:00 AM

    One for Me , One for Myself and One for the person who wrote this ;)

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:23 AM

    Nice! Thanks Fergal :)

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    Mute ivy mike
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    Apr 17th 2014, 12:15 PM

    Lickarse

    35
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    Mute Stephen
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:19 AM

    The true meaning of Easter, thank you God for sending the Easter bunny into the world. Amen

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    Mute Leanne Lynch
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:59 AM

    My mother has a gripe with Easter Eggs; “Sure there’s no more in them than a bar of chocolate”, so we never got them at home. This year I got a giant Kinder egg one and I’m already playing with the toy inside it. It’s like catching up with missed Christmases!

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    Mute Shane Kearney
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    Apr 17th 2014, 5:41 PM

    Cant beat them big kinder eggs…expensive as hell, but oh so good

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    Mute Emma O'Dwyer
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:38 AM

    You can never go wrong, in having leftover Easter eggs and making Rice Krispie buns… Devine, that’s the way il be recycling my leftover chocolate

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    Mute Sam Bartell
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    Apr 17th 2014, 12:17 PM

    What is this mysterious stuff “leftover” chocolate???

    83
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    Mute Shalalovely
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    Apr 17th 2014, 12:19 PM

    Leftover chocolate??? What is this rare phenomenon you speak of?

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    Mute Dee4
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:29 AM

    a little bit of irony last week, junior’s RE teacher implied that the Easter Bunny wasnt real……

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    Mute Leanne McHugh
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:38 AM

    15 nieces and nephews between me and my partner, 3 children and 3 of my children’s friends. 21 Easter eggs bought. A little over the average.

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    Mute Gizmo mac
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:00 AM

    I’m always hangin for a pint on Good Friday!

    21
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    Mute Michael G O'Reilly
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    Apr 17th 2014, 12:14 PM

    And I bet it’s those who can least afford to who are buying the drink and the eggs !

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    Mute Mary Hinge
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    Apr 17th 2014, 12:40 PM

    It’s amazing how good the retail industry are at monetizing this sort of thing. From celebrating the execution of a bloke who thought he was the son of god to pressurizing parents into buying overpriced chocolate eggs. Genius!

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    Mute That's all folk's
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:33 AM

    Three! I have given out about four already and have at least another six at home ready to go, that is if Cookie Monster ie. hubby doesn’t get to them first!!

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    Mute @Aoifs2707
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:32 AM

    My mammy always buys me a giant Easter egg. A serving suggestion put an Easter egg in the fridge and than get a bag of marshmallows. Place a marshmallow on top of the piece of cool chocolate fresh from the fridge and enjoy :)

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    Mute Pierce2020
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:16 AM

    Aoife, the Lir handmade one one you desk is from Gizmo

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    Mute Michelle Curtin
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    Apr 17th 2014, 3:25 PM

    My sons 5 and got his first Easter egg last year. His first time having chocolate. Im putting a limit on his eggs from others as I ended up giving the left over ones away at Halloween to the trick or treaters!!! #confusedwitches

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    Mute Emilio
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    Apr 17th 2014, 12:17 PM

    And the average number of craps is…

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    Mute Emma O'Dwyer
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    Apr 17th 2014, 3:23 PM

    When you get 3 or more eggs for Easter I get sick of eating them cause they all taste the same, so I diversify/change them into something else…it’s lush when you melt the chocolate and pour it into the Rice Krispies it’s a change

    5
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    Mute Ellen O'Keeffe
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    Apr 18th 2014, 10:38 AM

    “Munster is the county…” someone opened their Good Friday alcohol a little early :P

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    Mute Fergus Flanagan
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    Apr 18th 2014, 12:30 AM

    Seriously. What a ridiculous event.

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    Mute sarah fletcher-jones
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    Apr 18th 2014, 6:04 AM

    What ever happened to mother goose??? Bunnies and eggs…more like little brown k’nobblins

    1
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