THE JUNIOR MINISTER at the Department of Finance has announced that he will hold a press conference tomorrow to outline his intentions on a European bid.

Rumours have abound over Hayes’ intentions since last year, but he has remained largely non-committal on the issue.

Fine Gael has tonight announced a press conference at Leinster House tomorrow and, despite the event invite saying that Hayes will outline his intentions, TheJournal.ie has learned that he will seek the candidacy of his party.

It is also understood that Fine Gael top brass are supportive of the plan, which will see Hayes attempt to retain the seat held by Gay Mitchell.

Hayes was first elected to the Dáil in the Dublin South-West constituency in 1997. He lost his seat in 2002, but was re-elected in 2007 and again in 2011.

He was named the Minister for State at the Department of Finance as well as the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with specific responsibility for the Office of Public Works in 2011.

Read: Will Brian Hayes run for Europe? ‘I haven’t made my mind up yet,’ he says

Read: Hayes says ‘wait and see’ on Euro election run but Norah Casey insists: ‘I’m out’