Beverley Flynn latest FF TD to bow out
The decision caused some surprise as she is just 44 years of age and had ministerial ambitions.
Ms Flynn is the latest in a line of party TDs who have decided not to run in the election. Justice Minister Dermot Ahern and TDs Tom Kitt, Seán Ardagh and MJ Nolan have all recently announced they will retire at the election. Another TD, Jim McDaid, retired earlier this year.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey is also considering whether or not to stand in the next general election. A statement is expected from Mr Dempsey shortly, with Fianna Fáil insiders believing he will also step down.
Ms Flynn informed a Fianna Fáil meeting in her Mayo constituency last night of her decision.
Fianna Fáil currently holds two seats in the constituency, with its other TD being junior minister Dara Calleary.
However, with the party’s approval ratings on the floor and the constituency being home to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Fianna Fáil will struggle to retain two seats.
Ms Flynn has been a TD since 1997 but her political career has been a rocky one.
In 2004, she was thrown out of Fianna Fáil following her failed libel action against RTÉ after it reported she had assisted people in tax evasion while an employee of National Irish Bank.
Ms Flynn was ordered to pay RTÉ’s costs, which came to €2.8 million.
In 2007, however, she reached a settlement with RTÉ, which agreed to accept just €1.2m, after then taoiseach Bertie Ahern suggested Ms Flynn had “a very good future” once she resolved her difficulties.
She was then dramatically readmitted to Fianna Fáil.
In late 2008, the Irish Examiner reported she was continuing to claim an allowance designed for Independent TDs despite being readmitted to Fianna Fáil.
Ms Flynn initially refused to give up the allowance. She eventually agreed to relinquish the payment but the controversy ended any chances she had of promotion under Brian Cowen.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
