Sinn Féin Endorses Independent Senate Candidates

Independent Senate Candidate Billy Lawless

The Senate is the Second House of the Irish Legislature. Two vacant seats must be filled in an upcoming by-election in which all TD’s and Senators have one vote.

Sinn Féin is backing two independent candidates for these seats, Billy Lawless and Ian Marshall. The diaspora and the unionism in the north are all part of the Irish Nation. At present, their voices and experiences are missing from the debate in the Senate.

Sinn Féin leader in the Senate Niall Ó Donnghaile, congratulated Ian Marshall and Billy Lawless on receiving Sinn Féin's backing for their candidacies for the Seanad by-elections.

Independent Senate Candidate Ian Marshall with Sinn Féin TD's Mary Lou McDonald and Louise O'Reilly

Speaking today, Senator Ó Donnghaile said: “Billy Lawless has been a voice for the diaspora on extending and enhancing voting rights. I hope that if he is elected that this will provide him with an important platform with which to continue his campaigning on voting rights.

“Voting rights for both the diaspora and citizens in the north are key issues which Sinn Féin are committed to securing. These reforms are essential to enhance citizens’ rights and our democracy.

“Ian Marshall is a very talented and well-respected candidate, who was a vital and articulate voice in the previous Seanad. Sinn Féin believes it is important that the Oireachtas include more northern voices and that unionist perspectives are included in that.”