CORK-BASED Green Party senator Dan Boyle is to contest the South constituency in next summer's European elections.
Mr Boyle, a former TD for Cork South Central, was chosen at a selection convention in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, on Sunday.
"We have a responsibility to give voters an opportunity to vote Green at every election," said Mr Boyle.
"The Green vote in the constituency has traditionally been small, but I hope that experience as a public representative will help to significantly increase the vote and place the Greens in the frame for a seat."
Meanwhile, Tipperary-based Fianna Fáil senator John Hanafin has revealed that he intends to seek a nomination to be the running mate of outgoing party MEP Brian Crowley. The other two seats are held by Fine Gael's Colm Burke and Independent Kathy Sinnott. All three are Cork-based.
Mr Hanafin told The Irish Times yesterday that there was a geographical imbalance in the current representation in the constituency.
Mr Hanafin, from Thurles, is brother of Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin and son of former senator Des Hanafin.
Labour has chosen Senator Alan Kelly, from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, while Kerry-based councillor Toireasa Ferris, daughter of Kerry North TD Martin Ferris, will be the Sinn Féin candidate.
