Labour Senator John Gilroy confirmed that he will not contest the next general election.
He said he would be stepping aside from the Cork North Central selection convention and supporting Minister of State Kathleen Lynch in her bid for re-election.
“The most important thing is that we hold on to the seat and a Minister is best placed to do that,” he said. “I am not ruling out running for the Labour Party again, but for now I will be putting all my efforts into supporting Kathleen Lynch and making sure we retain the seat.”
Ms Lynch confirmed her ambition to run again yesterday. There had been speculation that she would retire but she insisted she had a lot more to give. Speaking to Newstalk radio, she said: “I am of course [running again]. I consider I have done a reasonable job in the circumstances.”
Mr Gilroy had put his name forward for the Labour selection convention but withdrew it recently. He also said he would not be seeking re-election to the Seanad and would instead focus on the next local elections.
Mr Gilroy joins TD colleagues Jack Wall, Pat Rabbitte, Eamon Gilmore, Ruairí Quinn, Michael Conaghan and Seán Kenny, who will not contest the election.
