Mary Upton to stand down at next election

LABOUR LEADER Eamon Gilmore has praised the “outstanding” work of the party’s TD in Dublin South Central, Mary Upton, who is stepping down at the next general election.

“She was an able and articulate deputy and a very effective spokesperson, originally in agriculture and later in tourism, culture and sport, who has made a great contribution to the Labour Party.”

In a statement, Ms Upton said it had been a “great privilege and honour” to serve the people of her constituency for the past 11 years.

She first won the seat in a 1999 byelection occasioned by the sudden death of her brother, Dr Pat Upton TD.

“I have greatly enjoyed my time in the Dáil . . . However, I believe that now is the right time for me to stand down and make way for others.

“The Labour Party is at its highest level ever in the opinion polls and I believe that Dublin South Central can return two Labour Party deputies at the next election,” Ms Upton said.

There are several Labour contenders to succeed Ms Upton including her nephew, Cllr Henry Upton, the son of the late Dr Upton; former TD Cllr Eric Byrne, and former Dublin mayor Cllr Michael Conaghan.

Two of the five seats in the Dublin constituency are held by Fianna Fáil, with Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Féin all holding one seat each.

Paying tribute to his constituency colleague, Fianna Fáil TD Michael Mulcahy said: “She was an extraordinarily diligent and conscientious TD, a worthy successor to her late brother Pat, and was popular with all her Dáil colleagues.”