A candidate running in both the local and European elections said “my heart is in Carlow” as she refused to commit to taking her seat in Brussels.

People Before Profit’s Adrienne Wallace said: “We’ll cross that bridge when the time comes.”

Ms Wallace’s name will be among 10 candidates whose names will be on two ballot papers this Friday.

She is running in the Ireland South constituency in the European elections, and also for Carlow County Council.

Asked what she would do if elected to both, she told the Irish Independent: “My heart is in Carlow. There’s a lot we can do on both platforms.

“There’s a lot of variables. I can’t give any definite answer when I have no idea what’s going to happen.”

Ms Wallace said the Government needed to reconsider holding both elections at the same time.

“Maybe they’re the ones that don’t take it seriously,” she said.

Fianna Fáil’s Malcolm Byrne, who is in the running for an EU seat and seeking re-election to Wexford County Council, said he will be going to Brussels if the option presents itself.

The councillor said he was in a fight for the final seat in the constituency, which won’t come into being until after Brexit.

“If I was fortunate enough to be elected to both, I would have to step down from the council and the party would co-opt in my place,” he said.

“I think my experience as a councillor has served me well and keeps me in touch. There are several Ireland South candidates for both.”

Cllr Breda Gardner from Kilkenny said she has three people in mind that could take her council seat if she succeeds in the EU elections.

“I would co-opt in somebody who is interested in the community, preferably a woman,” she said.

“It would very much be ‘crossing that path when the time comes’.”

In Dublin, Green Party councillor Ciarán Cuffe is in the running for one of four MEP seats – but is also allowing his name remain on the ballot for the locals.

“I would take the seat in the EU parliament. It would be a matter for city council to decide who would take up the seat,” he said.

However, Mr Cuffe expects his party would put forward a nominee in the expectation that they would take up the council seat. “Dublin is my passion. Whether I’m a Green voice for Dublin in Europe or a city councillor working for Dublin in City Hall, I want to put Dublin first,” he said.

Other candidates running in both elections include Gary Gannon (Social Democrats), Rita Harrold (Solidarity/People Before Profit), Éilis Ryan (Workers’ Party), Gillian Brien (Solidarity/People Before Profit), Cyril Brennan (Solidarity/People Before Profit) and Michael O’Dowd (Renua).

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