Lord Mayor of Dublin and Green Party chair Hazel Chu is to stand in next month's Seanad elections - however not as an official party candidate.
In a letter to members, the Mayor said this was a "personal choice to ensure there is proper representation" in the election, adding: "It is important to have women and minorities."
The Green Party has decided not to endorse a candidate for the election. In a statement, it clarified that its Executive Committee "... decided against holding a convention to nominate a Green candidate".
Despite that fact, Mayor Chu picked up nominations from five Green TDs and one Senator - including the deputy leader, Minister Catherine Martin.
Others include the Independent TD Marian Harkin who said she "believes in giving people a chance", and Independent Senator Lynn Ruane.
In her letter to Green members, Ms Chu clarified that she would run for a seat on the Industrial and Commercial panel in the Seanad elections.
While Fine Gael is contesting the other Seanad vacancy on the Agricultural panel, Fianna Fáil's former Senator Gerry Horkan is going to run in the Industrial and Commercial panel.
Mayor Chu said she was running despite receiving "more abuse this year than almost any other politician" adding: "Until we can show that it is normal that people from diverse backgrounds can be in political positions, this racism will continue."
