Brian Lenihan’s cancer ‘stabilised’ and he will contest next election

A year after the press made public Brian Lenihan's health status, the Finance Minister says his cancer has stabilised and that he'll stand for the Dáil again.

On St Stephen's Day 2009, the press broke the story. Now, exactly one year on, the embattled Minister has spoken again about his condition and has confirmed that he plans to contest the 2011 General Election, which, he admits, will be "very difficult" for Fianna Fáil.

In an interview with the Sunday Independent's editor Aengus Fanning which appears in this week's paper he says of his pancreatic cancer: "Yes, well, I repeat my diagnosis - you've arrived at the anniversary of the news, when I received it, and the very dangerous condition that I have - but, so far so good.

"The condition has stabilised. I'm really grateful for the good wishes I have received from all over Ireland, and the excellent help, obviously, at the Mater Hospital. Everyone has been so kind and good to me.

When asked about the forthcoming election he says: "I intend to contest the next General Election. My name is being put forward for a convention, which will take place in January, in my own constituency of Dublin West.

"I certainly intend to put my name before the people. After that, of course, they will have to decide.

"It will be a very difficult election for the Fianna Fáil party. I know that the thousands of members that we have all over Ireland are very concerned at the circumstances that the party finds itself in."