Fine Gael TD for Galway West Pádraic McCormack has today confirmed he will not be standing in the forthcoming general election.
The decision comes just over two weeks after Mr McCormack publicly expressed disappointment at not being selected as one of his party's two candidates in the constituency for the election.
Senator Fidelma Healy Eames and Brian Walsh were chosen as the two official Fine Gael candidates at a selection convention held in Galway earlier this month.
A former mayor Galway, Mr McCormack was first elected to the Dáil in 1989. He was due to retire in 2007, but agreed to stand again after the late withdrawal of one of Fine Gael's candidates.
Announcing his decision not to allow his name to be added as a candidate in the forthcoming election, Mr McCormack today thanked those who had contacted him urging him to stand again.
“I thank the electorate of Galway for their continued support over the years. It has been a tremendous honour and privilege for me to have represented you in public office as a TD for 21 years and earlier as a county councillor and a city councillor. I hope I have lived up to the responsibility and trust the electorate of West Galway have placed in me," he said.
“I wish the selected candidates and whoever will now be added to the ticket every success in the Election and with the unpopularity of the government I believe we can win two seats to ensure that Fine Gael will form the next government in the difficult years ahead for our country," he added.
Mr McCormack is the 20th sitting TD to announce he will not contest the next general election.