Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin says he won't stop his former Cabinet colleagues from running for election.
The former Education Minister Mary Hanafin has ruled herself out of running in the European elections, but says she may stand for the Dáil again.
Other former ministers including Mary Coughlan and John O'Donoghue have also raised the prospect of trying to win back their seats in the Dáil.
Mr Martin says he will not stop anyone putting their name forward to run as a party candidate.