Minister of State Damien English will travel to Sligo this evening to chair the Fine Gael selection convention for the Sligo / Leitrim constituency.

There are 8 candidates seeking nomination to contest the next general election for FG.

Former Junior Minister John Perry will be hoping to re-enter national politics.

He's joined on the ticket by Roscommon-based Senator and former TD Frank Feighan and former Sligo / Leitrim TD and Senator Gerry Reynolds.

Also seeking a nomination are Noel Merrick from Riverstown, Sligo - Chairman of the Fine Gael Constituency Executive in the constituency,

Sligo FG Councillors Sinead Maguire and Hubert Keaney, former Leitrim-based Senator Michael Comiskey and Blaine Gaffney - parliamentary assistant to Deputy Tony McLoughlin who's not seeking re-election.

The selection convention will take place this evening at the Clayton Hotel in Sligo.