The TDs joining Marc MacSharry in exodus from Dáil Éireann
Marc MacSharry TD is the latest TD to announce that he will not run again at the next general election. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins
As a general election looms next year, a number of TDs have announced they will not contest the next general election.
The latest, former Fianna Fáil and now Independent TD for Sligo, Marc MacSharry, announced his intention to step down on Wednesday.
He said: "I am eternally grateful to all for the opportunity to serve as a TD and senator over more than 21 years. I would like to thank everyone for their support and assistance.”
Mr MacSharry resigned the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party whip last year in the run-up to a vote of confidence in then foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney in relation to Katherine Zappone’s UN special envoy appointment.
Here, we list the other TDs who have said they are due to step down.
A number of Fine Gael TDs have announced they will not seek re-election, including a number of former Cabinet ministers.
and are two of the more senior Fine Gael representatives stepping away.
Mr Bruton, who served as minister in a number of Government departments, made his decision in September.
Meanwhile, Mr Flanagan, a former justice minister, said "it’s time to pass the baton to a younger generation".
Kerry TD announced he would not be seeking a nomination for next year’s election back in January.
In a letter to party members and councillors, Mr Griffin said: “The reasons for this is a straightforward one. I have two young sons and I want to be around them more for the remaining years of their childhood,” he said.
Donegal TD , a former education minister, said he will be stepping away from politics in order to spend more time with his family.
Former Minister for State and Carlow Kilkenny TD has also decided to step down. The Irish Examiner reported in April that it was due to health issues.
It is understood that Mr Phelan told his constituency AGM that he never fully recovered from his heart attack and his energy levels are always low.
Cork TDs Michael Creed and David Stanton have also decided not to stand in the next election.
Wexford TD and former Labour leader announced he would not contest the next general election.
The Wexford man said representing Wexford remains the “privilege of his life” for “nine consecutive Dáileanna.”
Cork East TD took the "difficult decision" not run in next year’s general election due to the latest boundary changes. Mr Sherlock admitted that the impact of the changes by the Electoral Commission in August influenced his decision to walk away from political life.
The redraw of the constituencies resulted in Mr Sherlock's home base of Mallow being moved from Cork-East into Cork North-Central.
Bríd Smith announced in July that she was stepping with the People Before Profit TD saying she wanted to make room for “the next generation” of young working class people.
Former communications minister and Independent TD for Roscommon Galway Denis Naughten is stepping down for “personal and professional reasons”.
The former Fine Gael man was first elected in 1997 having served in Seanad Éireann beforehand.
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