FG TD Dinny McGinley will not contest next general election

Fine Gael TD Dinny McGinley will not contest the next general election.

The Donegal South-West deputy said he had discussed running again with senior party figures recently, including Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

“I had decided last year I wouldn’t go forward but I came under a bit of pressure [TO RUN]. I think it was the best decision for me and I’m happy with it,” Mr McGinley said.

John McNulty, who was appointed to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (Imma) shortly before his selection as Fine Gael's nominee in a Seanad byelection, also confirmed he would not put his name forward.

Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Joe McHugh intends to contest the upcoming selection convention.

The two Donegal constituencies, Donegal North East and Donegal South West, are merging to form one constituency with the overall number of TDs in the county reduced from six to five.

Mr McGinley has represented Donegal South-West as a TD since 1982. He served as minister of state for gaeltacht affairs describing the three years he spent in that position as representing “the pinnacle of my political career”.

He has been the Fine Gael spokesman on a variety of policy areas.

John Ryan, a county councillor from Buncrana, also intends to contest the party’s convention on September 27th.