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Statement re General Election 11.03.2021


As many of you will be aware by now, I will not be contesting the next General Election for Sinn Féin in County Limerick. This was not my decision to make, as the party has instructed that the constituency convention be contested by women only, making me ineligible to throw my hat in the ring.

While I am disappointed and frustrated by this decision, I understand that it was made in the context of the state-wide gender quota, which applies to all political parties. Understandably my fellow members of Sinn Féin are also disappointed by this decision, particularly the lack of consultation with the local grassroots members, who gave so much of their time to build Sinn Fein to what it is today in County Limerick.

When I joined the party in 2011, the party didn’t have a General Election candidate in County Limerick, and were on a single digit percentage of support. It brings me great pride to see that that the party, represented by myself, came so close to winning an historic Dáil seat in 2020. While I will not be eligible to represent Sinn Féin in the next election, whenever it occurs, I still hope to see the party progress. Whoever the candidate may be, will still have my number one vote.

I have been asked whether or not I will run as an independent, given the support I received in the last election. The answer is unequivocally no. I am disappointed with the decision, but my political ideals are still aligned with that of the party, I am a Sinn Féiner, not a Mé Féiner. I am still committed to achieving Irish Unity, and building a new Ireland post-reunification, based on the principles of equality and fairness.

While I have been ruled out of the next General Election, I am not ruling myself out of any future elections, and will take things as they come. Over the past few days I have come to accept this decision, and hope that my supporters will come to accept it as well, and continue to work toward our ultimate goal; the goal of Pearse and Connolly, Sands and McGuinness.

In the meantime I am like much of the country, working from home, and spending time with my children, Briaghan, Fiadh, Fionn, agus Séigh. I am currently in the process of querying my recently completed, debut novel, which will be political fiction, and am almost finished editing a book for another writer, which remains confidential. This decision has also allowed me to devote my full attention to developing my career as a writer, editor, and historian. It also allows me to take a step back from the high level of political involvement, and refocus on my political commentary on my blog www.seighinoceallaigh.blogspot.com .

Ba mhaith liom a rá go raibh mile maith agaibh, do gach duine a thug vóta chugam I rith na blianta, agus tacaíocht freisin. Tá díomá orm faoi chad a tharla an seachtain seo chaite, ach leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh. An Phoblacht Abú.

Séighin


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