Long-serving Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív will not seek re-election

A former government minister, Éamon Ó Cuiv has been a TD for Galway West since 1992

Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív on the plinth of Leinster House, Dublin. File Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Long-serving TD Éamon Ó Cuív has announced he will not be standing in the next general election.

The Fianna Fáil politician and grandson of Éamon de Valera has served in Leinster House for more than 30 years.

In a statement released on Wednesday night, Mr Ó Cuív said: “After deep consideration, I have decided not to seek a nomination to stand in the next general election. In the meantime I will continue to work as usual.” 

He joins almost 30 sitting TDs from across the political divide who have announced that they will not be seeking re-election.

Paying tribute to Mr Ó Cuív, Tánaiste Micheál Martin described the Galway West TD as “an outstanding parliamentarian”.

"I worked with Éamon both in the Dáil and in cabinet, and subsequently in 2011 around the regeneration and revitalisation of the party. He is one of the most conscientious and dedicated politicians I’ve ever worked with.

"He had a long-term commitment to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland and played an important role in the lead up to the Good Friday Agreement."

Mr Martin said his party colleague had been “pioneering and innovative” in his former role as Minister for the Gaeltacht and Rural Affairs, citing the Language Act and a new era of support for the Irish Language.

"He developed the CLÁR programme, which was the first of its kind in terms of support for rural Ireland.

"Éamon will be a huge loss to public life and I would like to pay tribute to his wife Áine and his children who gave him tremendous support throughout his career,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Ó Cuív was first elected at the 1992 general election and was deputy leader of Fianna Fáil between 2011 and 2012.