Cowen pays tribute to retiring FF TDs

Taoiseach Brian Cowen today paid tribute to Justice Minister Dermot Ahern and former Ceann Comhairle Rory O’Hanlon after they announced they were quitting the Dáil.

In a surprise blow to Fianna Fáil in the north-east, Mr Ahern, widely tipped as a potential leadership contender, will stand down at the next General Election.

The 55-year-old Louth TD was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 18 months ago, but claimed he made the decision at the last General Election and told Mr Cowen in October 2009.

The Taoiseach described Mr Ahern as one of the most able, experienced and hard-working politicians of his generation.

“In this department, Dermot has been a reforming minister who has carried out his duties with great ability and commitment to the public good,” Mr Cowen said.

“He has been an innovative Minister for Justice with many achievements including the recent ground-breaking anti-gangland legislation.”

Mr Cowen said he was pleased the minister would continue in the Department of Justice until the imminent election is called.

“I know that in the period ahead he will continue to serve the Irish people and his constituents with the same high level of commitment and conscientiousness that has defined his entire career in politics,” the Taoiseach added.

Mr Ahern said he had been advised he should lead a slower pace of life because of his medical condition.

He again told Mr Cowen last weekend and informed the Cabinet this morning.

“In the last 18 months I have been diagnosed with a painful medical condition necessitating heavy medication,” Mr Ahern said.

“I have been advised that a change in my pace of life is essential in coping with this condition.”

He is the second TD to quit in the constituency, with Sinn Féin’s Arthur Morgan also set to stand down at the next election, leaving Fine Gael’s Fergus O’Dowd and Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk, of Fianna Fáil.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams is set to leave his West Belfast heartland to contest the constituency.

Widely viewed as ambitious, Mr Ahern shrugged off speculation he had been eyeing up the Taoiseach’s office.

“In politics the day you say you don’t want to be Taoiseach, or you don’t want to be minister or you don’t want to be whatever, you’re yesterday’s news,” Mr Ahern told RTE Radio.

“Of course if circumstances occurred I would obviously be interested in it and no-one wouldn’t be.”

Mr Ahern was first elected to the Dáil for Fianna Fáil in 1987 and has served in a range of ministries including Justice, Foreign Affairs, and Social and Family Affairs.

He said he was going to announce his resignation over Christmas but the Green Party’s call for a General Election in the new year forced his hand.

But he claimed he was not afraid of Mr Adams contesting a seat and described "parachuting" a candidate in as "an abomination".

The minister said be believed there would be a significant “ABA” vote in Louth at the election – “anyone but Adams”.

The Sinn Féin president wished the minister well.

“His colleagues in government should now join him and a General Election should be held immediately,” Mr Adams said.

The Justice Minister said he would be interested in doing work in the Third World on his retirement from the Dáil.

Mr O’Hanlon revealed he too will not contest the next General Election.

The 76-year-old Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan, who has been in the Dáil since 1977, said he informed local party members of his retirement over the weekend.

“I am proud to be a member of Fianna Fáil,” he said.

“I will continue to work to the best of my ability in my role as a TD until the next General Election.”

Mr Cowen thanked Mr O’ Hanlon for his years of service to the country and Fianna Fáil, saying he had made an outstanding contribution to Irish life.

“As Minister for Health, Minister for the Environment, Leas Ceann Comhairle and as Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O’Hanlon represented the people of Ireland with true diligence, dignity and great intellectual ability,” the Taoiseach said.

“His long career as a public representative is a shining example of all that is good in politics and public service.”

Mr O’Hanlon said he would remain an active member of Fianna Fáil’s Carrickmacross cumann after his retirement.