FG TD Seymour Crawford to retire at next election

FINE GAEL TD for Cavan-Monaghan Seymour Crawford’s announcement that he will retire at the next general election brings to 12 the number of TDs who have confirmed they will not contest again. Mr Crawford (66), a farmer and former Monaghan county councillor, said it was time for a younger person to contest the constituency he has represented since 1992.

“It was a great privilege and honour to be involved in the political life of our country over all these years, and I feel both desperate and saddened that the country has been allowed to drift into such a terrible position, especially over the last few years,” he said. “In this context, I believe it is the right time for me to step aside and let a younger generation come forward to join what is the best party in Dáil Éireann to lead the country.”

Mr Crawford’s party colleague Paul Connaughton (66), TD for Galway East since 1981 and a former minister of state, announced on Tuesday he would step down, saying it was time “the torch should be passed on to a new generation”. Donegal North East TD Jim McDaid (61), who had been without the Fianna Fáil whip, resigned from the Dáil at the beginning of the month.

Sinn Féin TD for Louth Arthur Morgan (56) confirmed earlier this month he wanted to return to his family business after serving two terms. Shortly afterwards, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said he would seek the party nomination in the constituency.

Long-serving Fine Gael TD Jim O’Keeffe (69) of Cork South West, a former minister of state, will not run again, while veteran Labour TD Michael D Higgins (69) of Galway West has confirmed he will not contest.

Jackie Healy-Rae (79), Independent TD for Kerry South, has ruled out fighting another election. Fine Gael TD PJ Sheehan (77) of Cork South West will not run again.

Wicklow TD and former minister of state Liz McManus (63) said in September she would not stand again, while Mary Upton (64) of Dublin South Central also announced she would stand down.

Former Fianna Fáil whip and minister of state Tom Kitt (58) of Dublin South has said he will not run in the next election.

Fine Gael TD Olwyn Enright (36) of Laois-Offaly announced in August she would not contest for family reasons.

TDs who have yet to decide if they will stand again include Mary O’Rourke of Fianna Fáil, Lucinda Creighton of Fine Gael Minister for Health Mary Harney and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.