Pat Rabbitte still deciding on political future ahead of general election

Former Labour leader Pat Rabbitte could be set to follow Eamon Gilmore out of the Dáil gates after admitting he has yet to make his mind up on whether to run in the upcoming general election.

The Dublin South West TD confirmed he is still finding it very difficult to make a decision after months of speculation that his time in parliament is at an end.

The veteran TD and former communications minister will have to make a decision on whether to seek re-election in the next month as Labour’s candidate selection convention for the constituency is due to take place in early July.

However, speaking on RTÉ programme Morning Ireland, the 66-year-old admitted he still does not know his plans.

“I’ve made several decisions on it,” Mr Rabbitte said.

When asked if he was “flip flopping” on the matter after telling journalists earlier this year he wakes up at the start of the week planning to quit and then as the days pass believes he should continue, he said:

“You’re entitled to put that construction on it. I have served for 30 years, I think I’m entitled to make my decision without denigratory descriptions. I am finding it difficult, yes.”

Confirming the nomination convention will “probably be in the first or second week of July”, he admitted that leaves “not much time”.

The potential departure of Mr Rabbitte — who was Labour leader from 2002 to 2007 — has long been mooted due to previous comments he has yet to make his mind up on running again.

During a Newstalk interview in April, he said his demotion from communications minister to the backbench last summer was “disheartening”.

“To be honest every Monday morning I decide that I won’t be running, and then on Tuesday morning I’m definitely running. By Friday I’m really taking it very seriously.

“If you’ve been consigned to the knacker’s yard at 65, your chances probably are not enhanced by the time you’re 67 or 68, and that’s a reality that I have to look at,” he said at the time.

Mr Rabbite’s potential departure alongside that of Mr Gilmore means Labour could see two consistently safe seats now fought by candidates with far less political pedigree.

However, while this is likely to further undermine the party’s current 33 Dáil seats — down from 37 in 2011 — some party members argue it will allow space for a new generation of Labour representatives to run.