Sligo North-Leitrim TD Dr Jimmy Devins, who resigned from the Fianna Fail parliamentary party in August 2009, has become the latest politician to announce he will not contest the next General election.
His announcement comes on the same day that the Labour Party's TD for Waterford Brian O'Shea also confirmed he would not be seeking re-election to the Dáil.
Dr Devins resigned the party whip because of the cessation of breast cancer surgery at Sligo General Hospital.
The TD said today he had decided to withdraw from public life following consultation with family, friends and supporters.
“Having been first elected to Sligo County Council in 1991 and subsequently to Dail Eireann in 2002, it has been a great honour and privilege to serve the people of Sligo and Leitrim. I want to thank them for their support and courtesy at all times," he said.
Dr Devins he would continue as an active member in the Fianna Fail party at local level and would give his full support to whoever is selected by the party to contest the forthcoming election in the Sligo/North Leitrim constituency.
Earlier today, Mr O'Shea also announced his decision not to seek re-election.
Mr O'Shea, who has represented the constituency for 24 years, said he had arrived at this “very difficult decision” after a long reflection.
“Having served as an Oireachtas Member for going on twenty four years the time has come for me to move on,” he said.
Mr O’Shea is currently the party’s spokesperson for defence and the Irish language.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said Mr O’Shea had given almost twenty five years service as a member of the Oireachtas and has been a diligent and committed representative for the people of Waterford.
Today's announcement brings the number of TDs who have confirmed they will not contest the election to 28.
The 15 Fianna Fáil deputies are: Seán Ardagh; Bertie Ahern (former taoiseach); Dermot Ahern (Minister for Justice); Martin Cullen (former minister for arts, sport and tourism, who resigned last March); Noel Dempsey (Minister for Transport); Tony Killeen (Minister for Defence); Michael Finneran (Minister of State for Housing); Beverley Flynn; Tom Kitt; Dr James McDaid (resigned last November); MJ Nolan; Dr Rory O’Hanlon; Dr Michael Woods, Mary Wallace and Dr Devins.
The seven Fine Gael deputies who are stepping down are: Ulick Burke; Paul Connaughton; Seymour Crawford; Olwyn Enright; Pádraic McCormack; Jim O’Keeffe and PJ Sheehan. The four Labour TDs are Michael D Higgins, Liz McManus, Mary Upton and Brian O’Shea while Sinn Féin’s Arthur Morgan and Independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae have also confirmed they will retire.