‘The time is now right for me to step aside’: Cork TD Seán Sherlock will not contest next General Election

Labour TD for Cork East Seán Sherlock has said it has been a privilege to represent his constituents in the Dáil as the veteran politician announced his decision to retire as a TD at the end of the current term.

In a statement today, Mr Sherlock said that the “difficult” decision not to contest the next General Election was one made “with a heavy heart” and citied the recent constituency changes recommended by the Electoral Commission as an influencing factor.

The Mallow resident has served as a public representative for over 20 years.

He was first elected as a county councillor in 2003 before securing a seat in the Dáil in 2007.

Mr Sherlock today paid tribute to his constituents for their continued support.

“I am deeply grateful to the people of Cork East for re-electing me in each subsequent election on both good days and bad for the Labour Party.

“I want to thank all those who supported me, worked so hard for me and voted for me in each election. It is something I will always appreciate,” he said.

Mr Sherlock also paid tribute to his late father, Joe Sherlock, who inspired his political career.

“My entry to politics followed in the footsteps of my late father, Joe.

“I am proud to have continued his hard work serving the people of Cork East as a councillor, TD and Minister of State.

“I worked on many local and national issues on their behalf most notably in ensuring the future, beyond any doubt, of Mallow General Hospital as well as ensuring the building of many new schools in my time as Minister of State in the Department of Education,” he said.

During his time as a TD, Mr Sherlock served as Minister of State in three Departments from 2011-2016.

Reflecting on that period, he said he is “particularly proud” of the role he played in the Stormont House Agreements and the role he played as Chair of the Research Council of Ministers which agreed the Horizon 2020 programme of €70bn during the Irish Presidency of the EU in 2013.

Providing some context on his decision not to contest the next General Election, Mr Sherlock said the recent publication of the Electoral Commission’s Constituency Report 2023 has been an influencing factor.

“The Commission had a difficult job to do, but the impact on Mallow and Cork East has been profound.

“I always anticipated some change to our constituency, but the scale of that change is so extensive that it caused me to reflect on my own political future.

“I have never been afraid of a political challenge and have fought difficult elections successfully.

“However this time I had to weigh up the splintering of the areas I have represented and worked hard for over the last 20 years across two constituencies and the immense challenge of trying to get elected in an entirely new constituency,” he said.

“Having considered this with my wife, Máire, my family and my closest political supporters, and as a Dad of three young children, I have decided that the time is now right for me to step aside,” he continued.

Mr Sherlock said he is confident that there as “positive days ahead” for the Labour Party and that he is committed to assisting local election candidates in Cork city and county ahead of the Local Elections next year.

“I will continue to represent and play my part to make North and East Cork the best possible place to live and give those without a voice a way to be heard, until my final day in Dáil Éireann,” he concluded.