Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams is reportedly considering running for a seat in Louth in the next election.

Rumors are rampant in Ireland that Adams, 62, will run against current Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern for a seat there.

A source close to Adams has told Irish newspapers that Adams is keeping his intentions to himself until closer to election time.

However, it is believed that Louth would be a great choice for Adams to run because Sinn Fein has a strong following in the county and three seats will be up for grabs.

The current party spokesperson on finance, Arthur Morgan, announced this week that does not plan to run for re-election next year.

It is thought that Morgan's successor would be Councilor Tomas Sharkey, 34, but Adams may very well be a candidate for the Sinn Fein seat.

Sharkey told the Evening Herald that there is "going to be a selection process and we can talk about all that in the coming weeks."

Adams is already a member of the Westminster Parliament for Belfast West.

He does not attend sittings because he refuses to take an oath of allegiance to the Queen of England.