Avril Doyle to retire after 35 years in politics

ONE of the leading names in Fine Gael, Avril Doyle. has announced her retirement after 35 years in politics.

Ms Doyle, 59, a member of the European Parliament for Ireland East and former minister of state, made her decision after discussions with party leader Enda Kenny.

The former Dáil deputy for Wexford helped the party to win an impressive two out of three seats in Leinster in the last European elections.

Her departure puts the party under pressure to find a high-profile candidate to run alongside Mairead McGuinness in the June election.

Ms Doyle said after 10 years in Europe she wanted to apply her “tremendous experience” to something other than politics.

“I think it is time, and it is time to reclaim my own agenda again. It has been a badly kept secret in the leadership of the party... they asked me to leave it until after Christmas... they would have liked me to run again,” she told RTÉ.

In the last European elections the party split its vote effectively running one candidate, Ms McGuinness, from north Leinster and another from the south of the province, Ms Doyle.

The party claimed 40% of votes cast, denying the Labour party a seat.

Party leader Enda Kenny said he fully respected the decision of Ms Doyle.

“For 10 years Avril Doyle has led the Fine Gael group in the European Parliament and established a strong reputation as a very formidable and influential legislator,” he said.

Ms Doyle was first elected to the Dáil in 1982 and served as a junior minister under Garret Fitzgerald and John Bruton.

Her father, Dr Dick Belton, had also been a member of the Oireachtas.

The party will now search for a candidate recognisable across Leinster without compromising the prospects of Ms McGuinness in the Louth/Meath area.

Yesterday, Dr Liam Twomey, who failed to win a seat in Wexford in 2007 was one Fine Gael name immediately flagged as fitting the geographic and personal criteria.

Dr Twomey, a senator, said he would consider the post if the party approached him but it was a difficult role to commit himself to.

“It is a very high-profile job but it would be a consideration for the party to make. If the party asked me, I would think about it at that stage but one thing I have to say is that while Europe is a very prestigious it is quite onerous on family life,” he said.

Despite widely publicised arguments between them, Dr Twomey said he had a high respect for Ms Doyle’s ability as an elected official.

The planned outgoing MEP said she would canvass for whoever the party chose to replace her.