Stormont economy minister and veteran Sinn Féin politician Conor Murphy will run for election to the Seanad next month, the party has confirmed.
The surprise announcement came on Monday with party leader Mary Lou McDonald endorsing Mr Murphy, saying he will bring “unparalleled political and ministerial experience” to the role.
With more than 30 years’ experience as a councillor, MP, and MLA for Newry and Armagh, the South Armagh-born man is one of Sinn Féin’s most senior representatives.
It is understood he will step down from his high-profile ministerial job if elected.
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It is not yet known who will replace him in the party’s Assembly and Executive line-up.
He previously held two ministerial posts, in finance and regional development.
As one of the party’s key negotiators with the British and Irish governments throughout the peace process, Mr Murphy insisted that he remains committed to his current role but would “relish the challenge” if elected to the Seanad.
“I’ve been elected to Stormont since 1998 and but for a couple of years as MP, I’ve been there ever since – so of course I will miss that and I’ve very much enjoyed doing the economy brief,” he told The Irish Times.
“But this is a time where the key burning question for us, and everybody who lives on this island, is what does the constitutional future hold. A lot of that debate is going to focus on the Oireachtas. Many of the parties who stood for election have indicated they want to step up activity in that area.
[ Seanad bid by Conor Murphy a large blow to Sinn Féin’s Stormont operationOpens in new window ]
“I think my own experience on this side of the border and my experience in office as a negotiator over many years dealing with various governments can make a contribution to help shape that debate, and to hopefully put a plan in place for constitutional change which will lead us to a referendum and to self-determination.
“That’s why I got into politics in the first instance, that’s what sustains me in politics and that’s work that I now have an opportunity to try and focus on in the time ahead.”
The move follows internal controversies that have rocked the party in recent months, including the circumstances surrounding the departure of former Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile, who resigned on mental health grounds a year ago.
In October, the party was criticised following revelations around inappropriate texts sent by Mr Ó Donnghaile to a teenage party member. Ms McDonald subsequently apologised for her tribute to Mr Ó Donnghaile following his resignation.
Speaking in Dublin on Monday, Ms McDonald said Mr Murphy’s candidacy “underscores the party’s commitment to representing the entire island of Ireland, promoting the all-Ireland economy, and advancing the Irish unity debate in the Oireachtas”.
“Conor brings a huge wealth of experience as the party now continues to build our All-Ireland political project. He has been a consistent champion for the All-Ireland economy, infrastructure and connectivity representing a border constituency,” she said.
“He played a key role in the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement and has been central to every major political negotiation and delivery since. As Sinn Féin’s chief negotiator, he has decades of experience working with both the Irish and British governments and engaging with political unionism, and key sectors north and south.”
Ms McDonald confirmed that Mr Murphy will continue serving as a member of the Assembly and Economy Minister until the Seanad election concludes, “after which we will assess the next steps”.
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