Since I announced my intention last week to resign from politics to take up a new position, it has been interesting to receive and consider the various reactions.
The media have responded with surprise and almost incomprehension that one could choose to do something else, mixed with a desire to see what political angle could be put on the story. From other politicians, there have been very mixed responses: from disappointment and regret through warm personal wishes, to an almost inaudible expression by some of a wish to do the same, if only they had the chance or the guts.
It is commonly accepted that one may leave politics involuntarily, by the will of the electorate. It is less commonly accepted that one could choose to leave. Various commentators have attempted to read all sorts of unintended messages into the tealeaves, such as disillusionment, or frustration with low pay. Others have remarked on the negative signals it sends out about younger people getting into politics. Then there's that perennial question: the condition of the Labour Party.
What is rarely acknowledged is that one can make a positive decision to advance one's social, work and personal goals outside the realm of electoral or party politics.
I was not born into a political family; I did not acquire one of the "hereditary seats" that are so much a feature of political life in Ireland. I was attracted to politics as an extension of my interest in local and community development. This interest goes back to my teenage years, and is evidenced by my previous work experience and postgraduate studies, first in community and youth work, and then in rural development. Many of the problems one encounters in working with disadvantaged individuals and communities raise issues that need to be tackled politically - whether in housing, education, social welfare or youth work.
I was "head-hunted" by the then youth development officer of the Labour Party, Pat Montague, and encouraged to get involved in Labour Youth. This resulted in my election as youth representative to Labour's Administrative Council in 1987. It was there, in the atmosphere of heated political debate and ruthless contest which followed the party's exit from coalition government, that the political bug took hold.
Life as a TD is hectic, demanding, varied, and never boring. The demands are endless. Usually, it's three days a week in Dublin, with late sittings and antiquated House procedures. And yet many rural deputies return home on a Thursday night to a further round of meetings - local council, VEC or health board meetings, party meetings, and an interminable round of clinics. It was usually a 70-80 hour week, but the truth is that one was never really off-duty.
However, the rewards and job satisfaction can be great, especially when one is in government and able to get things done. Having worked with young, early school-leavers prior to entering the Dail, I took a particular interest in education: in improving facilities, resources and remedial teaching, especially in primary and special education. I got great satisfaction from making tangible progress and getting positive responses from Niamh Bhreathnach, the then minister for education.
I have a particular interest in the Third World, and as chairperson of the Oireachtas sub-committee on development co-operation, supported the government in massively increasing Ireland's aid budget.
And, coming from a background in community development, I argued for the inclusion of a local development programme in the current National Development Plan. The success of this move has been evident in projects such as local, urban and village renewal and the various local enterprise initiatives.
The 1992-1997 period was historic, and there were many occasions on which I was delighted to be present and involved, even if only as a spectator. For instance, the formation and demise of the first ever FF-Labour coalition; the formation of a new "Rainbow" government from within the same Dail following the government collapse; and the tremendous progress made by Dick Spring, Albert Reynolds and John Bruton in relation to Northern Ireland.
I had said to myself that if I lost my Dail seat, I would go and get a decent job. However, when it happened, the lure of politics won out. I won a Seanad seat and set about retaking a Dail seat in Laois-Offaly at the next outing.
I entered the Dail as a 29-year-old single man. When I left it, I was married and had started a family. Bernie and I now have two children. That has been the biggest change in my life. The commitments of family life and the desire to spend at least some time with family have proven increasingly difficult to meet while being involved in the type of hectic and non-stop political lifestyle I have described above. I had always said two things: that if I had to choose between politics and family, I hoped I would choose the latter; and that I would not end up like many politicians who leave politics later in life and miss their children growing up. It's easy to say such things - it's not always easy to live up to them. In the past month I was offered a new post as director of community and enterprise with Westmeath County Council. It's the type of job I would have wished for outside of politics. Such posts are being created in each county following the decisions of both the past and present governments to integrate the local development and local government systems.
The new directors will play a leading role in setting up the new county development boards, which from January next will draw up and implement a comprehensive strategy for economic, social and cultural development in each county. The directors will also lead and promote each council's own involvement in community development.
Having given the choices before me detailed consideration, I decided to accept the offer and take on a new challenge. It will allow me to take my interest and belief in local development in a new direction. In making that choice, I also hope to have more time for family and personal interests.
It's a purely personal choice - I'm not making any political points. I'm really looking forward to my new job. If I can say at the end of it that I've got as much satisfaction from it as from politics, then I'll be very happy.