Two prominent TDs have surprised the political world by announcing that will not be candidates in the next election. Dublin Fine Gael MEP Gay Mitchell and Wicklow Independent Mildred Fox both confirmed speculation last night that they intend to step down from the Dáil.
The decision of both TDs has opened up the contest in Dublin South Central, which Mr Mitchell has represented in the Dáil for 25 years, and in Wicklow, where Ms Fox has been a TD for 11 years.
"I found this a very difficult decision to make, but taking into account family, public and party interests, I feel this is the correct decision," Mr Mitchell said in a statement last night.
The decision is a blow to Fine Gael because until recent months it had been widely expected that he would be one of the leading figures in the party's general election campaign and a senior cabinet minister in the event of a Fine Gael-Labour coalition taking office.
Mr Mitchell topped the poll in the Dublin constituency in the European election and helped Fine Gael to become the biggest Irish party in the European Parliament for the first time, winning five seats to Fianna Fáil's four.
When he took the European seat it was widely believed that he would contest the general election.
However, in recent months Mr Mitchell, who will be 55 next month, has let it be known that he was giving careful consideration to remaining in the European Parliament.
As a former minister of state with responsibility for Europe, he has enjoyed working in the parliament and contributing on a wide range of issues.
"When I contested the European Parliament elections I said I would give it a couple of years before deciding on whether to again contest the Dáil. Taking into account my 26 years service in the Dáil, 20 years as a city councillor, my experience as lord mayor, minister for European affairs and shadow minister for a number of departments as well as chairmanship of two prominent Dáil committees, I feel I can best bring my experience to bear now at EU level," he said.
"There is a good team of candidates available in Dublin South Central where Fine Gael will hold my seat and Fine Gael/Labour are well positioned to take three seats at the same time.
"I remain a public representative for Dublin, including Dublin South Central, as an MEP and I will continue to be a member of the Fine Gael parliamentary party and will play a full role in the general election campaign." said Mr Mitchell.
However, his decision, coming within days of the withdrawal of Fine Gael's leading candidate in Galway West, Cllr Brian Walsh, from the election contest is bad news for the party.
There has also been speculation about Ms Fox's position in recent weeks. The 35-year-old TD confirmed to East Coast Radio last night that she intended to resign at the election.
Ms Fox, from Lower Calary, Kilmacanogue, has been a TD since 1995 after being elected in June of that year following the death of her father, Johnny.
She played a pivotal role in keeping the first Fianna Fáil-PD minority government in office between 1997 and 2002. She has not had the same political clout in the current Dáil, but there was still some surprise at her decision to stand down.
It is understood that Deputy Fox made the announcement to members of her family and her close friends in recent days. It is believed she has taken the decision for personal reasons.
She has represented all of Wicklow and part of Carlow, including Hacketstown, Rathvilly and Clonmore.
