The former Fine Gael TD for Dublin North West, Ms Mary Flaherty, yesterday announced her intention to retire from local and national politics. Her decision formally brings to an end a political career that began almost 20 years ago.
Ms Flaherty described her exit as "a sabbatical from politics" to devote more time to her family. Since losing her Dail seat last June, she has spent the time at home and only recently started work as a senior consultant with Carr Communications.
Even though she will not be a candidate in the next general election or in the 1999 local government elections, Ms Flaherty intends to remain a member of Fine Gael. Her decision was made, she said, in good time to allow the party make strategic decisions well in advance of the next election.
"After 16 years of combining a growing family with politics, I have decided to take work decisions which would allow more time with my family," Ms Flaherty said.
After winning the seat in five general elections, she lost in Dublin North West in 1997. The Constituency Commission report last week which recommended that the four-seat constituency be reduced to a three-seater would have made it more difficult for her to regain the seat.
"The fact that the constituency reverted back to the boundaries closest to my own home base of Finglas-Glasnevin North caused me to pause a moment. But only a moment. It was not the real reason for leaving," she said.
Ms Flaherty, who is married to Mr Alexis Fitzgerald, a former lord mayor of Dublin, became a member of Dublin City Council in 1979. She was elected a TD in 1981.
Her political profile was heightened shortly after her arrival in Leinster House when she was appointed minister of State at the Departments of Social Welfare and Health, with special responsibility for poverty and family affairs.