'I'm certainly an outsider' – Mick Wallace shakes up Wexford ...

The former MEP, who lost his seat in Europe back in June, confirmed on Friday morning that he will battle it out for one of four Wexford seats as the people go to the polls on November 29.

"It was eating me alive trying to decide what to do,” he said of his last-minute decision. “I knew if I didn’t go, it would be a ‘what if’ moment. I suppose, this way the people of Wexford will decide if I go back in or not.”

The Wellingtonbridge native – who was twice previously elected to Dáil Éireann by the people of Wexford, topping the poll in 2011 – is certainly not playing up his chances of a triumphant return.

“There's a good chance I will lose,” he said. “Other candidates have been canvassing for this for years. I’m not going to do much canvassing. The people will either choose me or not. If I don’t get in, I won't worry about ‘what ifs’ at least.”

Looking at a competitive Wexford constituency, Wallace gives an outright “no” when asked whether he has been monitoring any of his rivals campaigns thus far. However, he can still quickly identify those he believes are the favourites for a seat.

"I still think Verona (Murphy – Independent) will get in, even with me in the picture,” he says. “She’s worked hard and she’s done the parish pump thing. People appreciate that. I think her and James Browne will get in and then it’s a dogfight for anybody else.

"If the bookies were taking bets, I’m certainly an outsider. The others have a huge advantage over me.”

Having stood before the people on four separate occasions, the former MEP believes that people should be familiar enough with his brand at this point.

"Look, people know what I stand for in politics,” he says when asked about his areas of focus. “I’ve been before the people four times already. I don't do parish pump politics. If elected, I’ll be a national parliamentarian. I’ll be trying to make a difference and best serve the people of Wexford on a national level. That’s where all the decisions are made. They’re not made in Wexford."

Mr Wallace believes that Wexford has been “poorly served” for decades.

"We're the third-poorest county in Ireland,” he says. “Why is that? It’s because we haven't been particularly well served. Ireland is sadly a very poorly run country. It’s been ruled by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour for 103 years. Too often vested interests are protected and served well, but it’s not a great country to live in when you’re on the other side of that line.”

However, having made the decision last minute, Mr Wallace is unsure whether he can unseat any of the big parties or heavy-hitters.

"Looking at the national figures, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin should get in. George Lawlor will feel he has a very good chance if he can retain (Brendan) Howlin’s vote and Verona is a very strong independent.

"The reality is that we’re only a few days out and I’m at a major disadvantage,” he concluded. “The others have all been out canvassing. I haven't been canvassing and I won’t be able to do too much canvassing.

"I’ve no posters or anything printed up. I don’t know if I’ve even got time to do any of that. I'll probably dig out a few of the old European posters and see if I can get someone to put them up for me.

"Other than that, it will be leaflets and I’ll try to do a little bit of canvassing. I won’t be covering every poll in the county, that’s for sure.”