Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday played down the decision by Dublin North Fianna Fáil TD Jim Glennon not to run in the next election and denied it was symptomatic of frustration among Fianna Fáil backbenchers over their inability to contribute to party policy.
Mr Glennon was one of the party's TDs who voiced concern last May over the Supreme Court's decision in the "C" case and called for it to be debated by backbenchers. He was believed to have been disappointed at not being promoted by Mr Ahern.
He was selected last February to run for the party in Dublin North, but has said he will not be contesting the election. Calling Mr Glennon a "great guy" who had worked hard for the party, Mr Ahern said: "I've had a number of meetings with him and he didn't express any frustration on the back benches. He explained to me his own personal position and I take account of that." He added: "Jim came in from business and he did six years, and I think he just looked at it from his personal position, from his own family position and decided he'd like to go back."
