FG's Yates confirms his intention to stand down

Fine Gael frontbencher Mr Ivan Yates today confirmed he will not be contesting the next general election.

Ivan Yates to stand down at next election

He said: "This decision is based solely on personal rather than any political circumstances.

"The reason for doing so is to allow me to focus my time and energy into developing our family betting office business, Celtic Bookmakers, as well as devoting more time to my young children."

He said juggling four young children and a family business with a huge constituency workload and a front bench position could not continue.

He added that a personal promise made to former party leader Mr John Bruton - that he would run in the next election - no longer applied following Mr Bruton’s loss of the party leadership.

Mr Yates said: "Having successfully contested seven General Elections and served twenty years in the Dáil, now was the optimum time to personally move on."