WICKLOW LABOUR TD and former deputy party leader Liz McManus has announced that she will be stepping down from the Dáil at the next election.
A TD since 1992, Ms McManus has been a public representative for the past 31 years, serving on Bray and Wicklow councils as well as in the Dáil. She was a minister of state with responsibility for housing during the rainbow Government of 1994-1997.
“It has been a privilege for me to represent Co Wicklow for the Labour Party and I will continue to do so to the best of my ability until the next general election,” she said.” I believe, however, that it is vital that Labour offers new, younger candidates to the electorate at the next general election.”
She said that until the election was called, she would continue to provide the best service possible to her constituents. She also said she intended to remain an active Labour Party member.
Ms McManus’s son Ronan, a councillor on Bray Town Council, is expected to be a candidate for the Labour nomination to run in Wicklow. The party is expected to select a balanced ticket with one candidate in the north of the county and one in the south.
Cllr Tom Fortune of Greystones, the current chairman of Wicklow County Council, may also put his name forward for the northern end of the constituency.
In the southern end, Cllr Nicky Kelly has been the party’s candidate in the last two general elections. A possible rival could be Cllr Conal Kavanagh, son of a former Labour minister, Liam Kavanagh.
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said Ms McManus had told him some time ago that she would not seek re-election to the Dáil.
“Liz will be a great loss to the people of Wicklow, to the Labour Party and to the Dáil, but I fully respect the decision she has made,” Mr Gilmore said. “She will be remembered in particular for her eight years as party spokesperson on health, where she battled endlessly for a fairer and more equitable health service.”
Taoiseach Brian Cowen yesterday acknowledged the contribution made by Ms McManus and Olwyn Enright of Fine Gael who announced earlier in the week that she would not be running again. He wished them both well.
Labour MEP for Ireland East Nessa Childers said Ms McManus had been an inspiration to her and to countless women in the Labour Party and in public life in general