Veteran broadcaster and journalist Olivia O'Leary has scotched rumours that she is to run for Fine Gael in the next general election.

Fine Gael sources told the Sunday Tribune the party had sounded out O'Leary about standing in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency.

Although living in Dublin for most of her life, O'Leary is originally from Borris, the Carlow town that borders Kilkenny. Fine Gael targeted her as she has political nous as well as the 'celebrity factor'.

O'Leary dismissed speculation this weekend and told the Sunday Tribune: "No official approach was made to me to run, nor have I any interest in running."

Fianna Fáil's John McGuinness, Bobby Aylward and MJ Nolan, Fine Gael's Phil Hogan and Green Party junior minister Mary White currently hold the five Dáil seats in the constituency. But Fine Gael views a seat- gain here as a priority if the party is to come anywhere close to an overall majority. "It is key that we win another seat here and we see Mary White and MJ Nolan's seats as the most vulnerable," said a Fine Gael source.

Kilkenny-based Fine Gael senator John Paul Phelan is fancied to take a seat in the next general election, having lost out in 2007. FG sources in Carlow now believe that one of the party's sitting councillors will run now that O'Leary has declined their advances.

Fine Gael sources claim O'Leary's name has been mentioned in party circles ahead of previous elections because of her local popularity, high national profile and her family was perceived to have Fine Gael leanings.

Veteran broadcaster and journalist Olivia O'Leary has scotched rumours that she is to run for Fine Gael in the next general election.

Fine Gael sources told the Sunday Tribune the party had sounded out O'Leary about standing in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency.

Although living in Dublin for most of her life, O'Leary is originally from Borris, the Carlow town that borders Kilkenny. Fine Gael targeted her as she has political nous as well as the 'celebrity factor'.

O'Leary dismissed speculation this weekend and told the Sunday Tribune: "No official approach was made to me to run, nor have I any interest in running."

Fianna Fáil's John McGuinness, Bobby Aylward and MJ Nolan, Fine Gael's Phil Hogan and Green Party junior minister Mary White currently hold the five Dáil seats in the constituency.

But Fine Gael views a seat- gain here as a priority if the party is to come anywhere close to an overall majority. "It is key that we win another seat here and we see Mary White and MJ Nolan's seats as the most vulnerable," said a Fine Gael source.

Kilkenny-based Fine Gael senator John Paul Phelan is fancied to take a seat in the next general election, having lost out in 2007. FG sources in Carlow now believe that one of the party's sitting councillors will run now that O'Leary has declined their advances.

Local Fine Gael sources claim O'Leary's name has been mentioned in party circles ahead of previous elections because of her local popularity, high national profile and her family was perceived to have Fine Gael leanings.