Sinn Féin senator Paul Gavan will not 'actively contest' Seanad election

'The party has nominated and endorsed two other candidates for this panel,' said senator Paul Gavan.

In his statement, released through the Sinn Féin press office, Mr Gavan said he was proud of his work record since being elected to the Seanad in 2016. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Sinn Féin senator Paul Gavan will no longer "actively contest" the upcoming Seanad election.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Gavan said he does not believe there is anything to be gained by contesting the seat on the Labour panel.

"The party has nominated and endorsed two other candidates for this panel," said Mr Gavan.

The Limerick senator received a nomination from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), but had been omitted from Sinn Féin's list of Seanad hopefuls.

When questioned about this, the Sinn Féin press office drew a distinction between candidates put forward by the party and those nominated through external bodies.

However, Mr Gavan had previously been included in the party’s candidate announcement for the 2020 Seanad elections, despite being put forward under the same external nomination process on that occasion.

Pressed on this discrepancy, a party spokesman said: “Our aim is to elect the strongest Sinn Féin team possible.” 

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In his statement, released through the Sinn Féin press office, Mr Gavan said he was proud of his work record since being elected to the Seanad in 2016, where he was the spokesperson on workers' rights.

"Throughout my time, I have always tried to stay true to republican socialist politics," he said.

"I am the only opposition senator to have steered two bills successfully through all stages of the Seanad. These were the Protection of Employees Tips Bill, and the Safe Access Zones Bill."

Last year, Mr Gavan ran as one of Sinn Féin's European candidates in Ireland South.

Another Sinn Féin representative, Dublin councillor Daithí Doolan, has also been nominated for the Seanad Labour panel through ICTU.

Mr Doolan said he had successfully sought a nomination from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, having been an active member of Unite for more than 20 years.

"I am confident this will attract support beyond Sinn Féin colleagues," he said.