CORK'S only Labour Party TD has confirmed he won’t be seeking to become party leader after Brendan Howlin announced he was stepping down. 

Cork East TD Sherlock has told The Echo that he won’t be putting his name forward in a leadership contest.

“I can confirm it is my intention to continue to represent the people of Cork East and focus on rebuilding the party, but I will not be putting my name forward for election at this time,” Mr Sherlock said.

Meanwhile, he paid tribute to outgoing leader Brendan Howlin: “I’m genuinely sorry to see Brendan go. I believe he is a person of integrity who continues to make a remarkable contribution to Irish political life.”

Mr Howlin said today that he would be instigating a leadership contest with immediate effect.

Speaking at a press conference in Dublin in the wake of a meeting of the Labour parliamentary party, Mr Howlin said that it was the “consensus” of the party that Labour should not form part of the next Government having failed to attain a mandate.

“It is my view that we should put in train a leadership election,” Mr Howlin said, adding that he would be making that recommendation to central council and the party executive.

He added that his name would not be going forward in that contest.

Asked whether or not he would be standing for the role of ceann comhairle, Mr Howlin replied “no, I am not interested, but thank you for the offer”.