Fine Gael Laois-Offaly TD Olwyn Enright has announced she will not contest the next general election.
Ms Enright said she had not come to the decision "lightly, or overnight" but that because of her young family she would not be in a position to give the "enormous commitment" to her political role.
“This has been a difficult decision that I have deliberated over for some time and I have made this announcement now to enable the local Fine Gael organisation time to select a team of candidates to retain the seat for the party," Ms Enright said.
“Having served firstly as a councillor for the Birr electoral area from 1999, and then as a TD for Laois and Offaly since my election in 2002 and again in 2007 to Dáil Éireann, I did not come to this decision lightly or overnight.
Ms Enright said it had been "a privilege and an honour to serve the people of both Laois and Offaly for almost the last decade".
"I deeply appreciate the trust they placed in me. It is a role I have cherished and endeavoured to work very hard in."
She said she had always had a" strong commitment as a legislator and as a national politician, serving as spokesperson on education and science, and social and family affairs, as well as working child protection issues.
“Ever since I first became involved in politics I have enjoyed dedicating myself to the tasks involved. However, my personal circumstances have changed greatly since I was first elected and in the longer term, with a young family, I will not be in the position to give the enormous commitment the position requires, and that my constituents deserve."
Ms Enright wished Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny "the very best" in the next general election. She said that both he and her constituents could be assured of her continued dedication to her role as a Fine Gael TD, and her service to the people of Laois-Offaly until the next election.
Ms Enright is married to Joe McHugh, Fine Gael TD for Donegal North East. She is a daughter of Tom Enright, who served as a TD from 1969 to 1992, and as a senator from 1993 to 1997.