SEAN BARRETT, the former defence minister, is the latest member of the Fine Gael old guard facing a call-up for the next general election.

Barrett, a poll-topper when Fine Gael held two of the five seats in Dun Laoghaire, has confirmed that he has been approached by senior party figures to run for the Dail five years after his retirement from national politics.

“I haven’t made a final decision yet, but I would consider it if I felt I could make a difference to the ticket and not just win a seat that another Fine Gael candidate would have won,” the 61-year-old bloodstock insurance millionaire said. “I have become involved with the party again on a Dublin electoral strategy group, but I haven’t made up my mind on any further involvement.”

Barrett’s remarks suggest his involvement is likely if the party believes it has a chance of winning back the two seats it lost in the affluent south Dublin constituency in 2002. His return would increase the number of “old guarders” standing for Fine Gael, with both Charlie Flanagan and Alan Shatter also ready to re-enter national politics.

Other contenders for the Dun Laoghaire ticket include John Bailey, a councillor and GAA County Board chairman, and Marie Baker and Eugene Regan, both Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown county councillors.

Fine Gael sources last week said the party would have to target two seats in this traditionally strong territory if it was serious about a return to government in 2007.

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