Veteran Fine Gael TD Michael Ring to bow out after 30 years in Dáil
Fine Gael TD Michael Ring at TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar for the Midlands North West constituency in the European elections earlier this year.
Veteran Fine Gael TD Michael Ring has announced that he will step down at the next general election.
The long-time Mayo TD confirmed that he would not seek his party’s nomination to run in the upcoming election, having served in the Dáil since 1994.
Mr Ring served in Cabinet for three years as minister for rural and community development between 2017 and 2020, having previously been a junior minister at the Department of Transport and then the Department of Arts.
In a statement, Mr Ring said that he believed Fine Gael is under “strong leadership” with Taoiseach Simon Harris, while also praising its team of Cabinet ministers.
“We have enjoyed great success in recent elections, and I am confident in our prospects moving forward,” said Mr Ring.
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“Here in Mayo, we have done great work and I am confident that we will maintain and build on our seats in the next general election and contribute to Fine Gael securing another term in Government.
He thanked his constituents in Mayo for electing him across the last three decades.
“Your trust and support has allowed me to serve you, and I am eternally grateful," he said. "Representing you has been an honour, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together.”
Mr Ring said that he was “profoundly thankful” for his opportunity to serve across Westport Town Council, Mayo County Council, and then in the Dáil across 45 years.
“The trust and support from my constituents has been humbling and inspiring,” he said.
He highlighted projects including the Wild Atlantic Way, The Gathering, and Ireland’s Ancient East as key developments he helped to secure for both Mayo and the rest of the country.
There are three frontrunners to replace Mr Ring on the ballot for Fine Gael at the next election, alongside incumbent junior minister Alan Dillon.
This includes Ballina councillor John O’Hara, Claremorris councillor Alma Gallagher, and Keira Keogh from Westport — who narrowly missed out in the local elections last month.
Mr Ring last month urged Taoiseach Simon Harris to call the election in October this year, citing the party’s strong result in the local and European elections.
“Go to the country in October, not wait,” he said, speaking in Castlebar at the time. "We had two winter elections, and I don’t ever want to see a winter election again."
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