Donegal TD Niall Blaney this evening ended over 35 years of political exile by his family when he officially re-joined the Fianna Fail party.
After weeks of speculation, Mr Blaney allowed his Independent Fianna Fail grouping to merge with the senior Government partners.
Neil Blaney, Niall's late uncle, resigned from Fianna Fail in 1970 after he was sensationally sacked from the Cabinet in the wake of the Arms Crisis controversy.
The current Donegal North East TD said: "Today is a milestone that was attempted to be reached on many occasions over the last 25 years."
Mr Blaney also insisted that his wider family had given him 'one hundred per cent backing' in his decision. He said negotiations had been sensitive on all sides in recent weeks.
But he added: "I have consulted very widely within my organisation and have taken soundings among my electorate and supporters. Their advice to me is that this is the right move to give the best representation to the people of Donegal and I have acted accordingly.
"I very much understand that more than three decades of electoral rivalry can create barriers. I want to assure the members of Fianna Fail that we are absolutely committed to working constructively with them in a spirit of openness and shared goals."
Mr Blaney also appealed to all 'like-minded republicans' across the island that split from the Fianna Fail party in the 1970s, to rejoin again.
In a statement, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the political fusion will provide an exciting, new dynamism to politics in Co Donegal, as well as strengthening the Fianna Fail Party.
He added: "Niall is one of the finest young politicians in the Dail. He is hardworking, astute and capable. He has shown a steadfast commitment to his constituents in Donegal.
"The reintegration of the Independent Fianna Fail organisation into Fianna Fail ensures that Niall will play a more central role in shaping the direction Fianna Fail takes as we plan for the future growth of Donegal, the North West and the island of Ireland."
Mr Ahern paid tribute to retiring TD Jim McDaid for his tireless championing of his home county.
"His period in cabinet has left a fine legacy of achievement that every Fianna Fail supporter can rightly take pride in," he added.
Mr Ahern said he never found any reason to question the integrity or deep patriotism of Neil Blaney.
"It is regrettable that it has taken so long to heal old wounds and to reunite the party. In a spirit of reconciliation similar to the peace process on this island.
"I am glad that the hand of friendship is being extended by both sides and that we can close this long division in our shared history."
However, the Sunday Timesrecently quoted Annraoi Blaney, Neil's son, describing Fianna Fáil as "a malevolent political organisation."
"We do not believe Fianna Fail represents the ideals Neil sought to defend . . . in our view he would be against the notion of the party he established folding up its tent and being subsumed into the Fianna Fáil party," he told the newspaper.
Niall Blaney today acknowledged there had been "sensitivities on all sides" but insisted he had the backing of his supporters and the his organisation and assured the Fianna Fáil organisation that "more than three decades of electoral rivalry" will be put aside.