Cork-based MEP Colm Burke has told the Cork Independent he is ready and able for the challenge of former GAA President Sean Kelly if Mr Kelly decides to contest selection as Fine Gael's MEP for Ireland South at the next European elections.

Speculation has surrounded Mr Kelly's intentions for several months now with party insiders in Kerry indicating that he will run for selection. Further fuel was added to the story last weekend when Mr Kelly gave the keynote address at the annual Michael Collins commemoration at Beal na Blath in West Cork.

Bishopstown-based Colm Burke is the current Fine Gael Ireland South MEP since he was appointed to replace Simon Coveney who gave up the role when he was elected as a TD in June 2007.

Mr Burke who is a lawyer by profession said, "I would of course welcome Sean Kelly's entry to contest the selection. Anybody has the right to put themselves forward and I will be ding the same". Mr Burke said that his legal background and experience in the role would stand to him.

"It certainly helps to have been doing the job for a while," he said and by the time the elections come around I will have been an MEP for two years. It definitely takes a while to settle in and I also think my experience in legal matters helps as you are often dealing with very complicated and legalistic matters," he said.

Commenting on a recent report in the Irish Examiner regarding MEP's attendance and speaking records he said that the dates accompanying the article were incorrect and painted a false picture. He said that he had spoken at the European Parliament on 32 occasions since he took the post and not zero time s as had been indicated in the article.

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