It's understood that the former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin is making a stunning return to politics.

The former minister is understood to have submitted nomination papers to run in the local elections in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.

Ms Hanafin had previously expressed an interest in running for the European Parliament in Dublin.

However it's understood that the former arts and education minister submitted nomination papers this morning, and will run in the Blackrock area in the local elections in 20 days' time.