Joe Carey's sister seeks election nod in Clare as he becomes 16th Fine Gael TD to retire

Joe Carey has announced his retirement from politics following medical advice. Photo: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

There are now 16 Fine Gael TDs who were elected in 2020 who will not contest the upcoming general election, as former Clare TD Joe Carey confirmed his resignation from the Dáil on Monday.

Mr Carey said in a statement that he would be stepping down as a TD effective immediately, following medical advice he received in the wake of his serious hospitalisation last March.

The former TD said, in a letter to Clare Fine Gael members, that he needs to put “himself, his wife and his family first”.

Mr Carey said: “In the past year, I suffered a life-altering medical situation that I will be dealing with for the rest of my time on earth. While I would dearly wish to continue, my decision to step away is based on medical advice.”

He described it as an “absolute privilege” to serve as both a councillor and a TD across 25 years, while thanking his constituents in Clare for electing him on six separate occasions.

Mr Carey was first elected to the Dáil in 2007 aged 31, winning a second seat for Fine Gael in Clare. He had previously served as a councillor on Clare County Council, first winning a seat in 1999 aged 23.

Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to Mr Carey, saying he had served the people of Clare with “distinction”.

While Mr Carey steps aside from politics, his sister Leonora Carey will now seek the nod from local party members to represent Fine Gael in Clare at the next general election.

The trickle of Fine Gael TDs leaving politics began with former housing minister Eoghan Murphy, who unexpectedly resigned in 2021 causing a by-election in Dublin Bay South.

The Irish Examiner first reported that Ms Carey had received a nomination to contest the selection convention on Sunday, joining Senator Martin Conway in the contest to replace Mr Carey.

Ms Carey described it as a “mix of a day”, due to her brother’s retirement from politics, as she now begins the process of replacing the four-term TD.

She said she was honoured to be stepping up, adding that she now intends to meet as many local Fine Gael members in Clare ahead of the selection convention in early September.

The former chair of the Fine Gael National Executive said that she was emerging from being behind the scenes in politics, to “the frontlines”.

“I hope to be the person to succeed in getting the seat [in Clare],” Ms Carey said.

Leo Varadkar's retirement paved the way for a new Fine Gael leader. Photo: Dan Linehan

She cited her 25 years of experience working in the healthcare sector, working as an occupational therapist manager with the University of Limerick Hospitals Group, while saying issues like education and Shannon Airport would be key issues for her.

Mr Carey is the latest in a long line of Fine Gael TDs who will not contest the next general election, including political heavyweights like former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and former Tánaiste Simon Coveney.

The trickle of Fine Gael TDs leaving politics began with former housing minister Eoghan Murphy, who unexpectedly resigned in 2021 causing a by-election in Dublin Bay South.

However, Mr Carey’s resignation is not expected to cause a by-election, as ongoing speculation centres around the next general election being held in mid-November.

Asked directly when a by-election might be held, Mr Harris said the Government has not yet considered the timing but that party leaders would “in due course”.