The election of Dana Rosemary Scallon in Connaught Ulster last month shocked FF to the core, but Noel Treacy may yet make it. Word in Europe is that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern may appoint MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher to the EU Court of Auditors in Luxembourg when Barry Desmond retires at the end of the year. Gallagher is an accountant and a highly regarded member of the budget committee. If he goes, Treacy would step into his seat. There are several advantages here for FF - Dana no longer has the south of the vast constituency to herself and Bertie has an opening for a new junior minister. And there's no nasty by-election. Treacy would leave Government, but not the Dail.