Fine Gael TD confirms he will not contest election

Fine Gael TD Dan Neville has become the latest Government TD to confirm he will not contest the upcoming General Election.

The 68-year-old Limerick deputy said he believed it was time a younger person got the opportunity represent the constituency.

“It is with sadness that I have decided not to contest the General Election selection convention for the County Limerick constituency in September,” Mr Neville said on Tuesday morning.

He said he had served 30 years in public life, and spent 18 years in the Dáil.

“I feel it is the right time to pass on the opportunity of representing the constituency to a younger person,” he said.

Mr Neville is best known for his work in the area of suicide prevention. He thanked the Fine Gael party for facilitating his efforts in the area of mental health awareness.

“I look forward to continuing to represent the electorate of County Limerick until the General Election in 2016,” he added.

Mr Neville joins a growing number of senior TDs who have announced they will not contest the next election.

Among the prominent deputies in the current Dáil who have made clear they will not run again are Labour's Pat Rabbitte, Ruairí Quinn, Eamon Gilmore and parliamentary party chairman Jack Wall.

Their party colleague Michael Conaghan has also said he will not contest.

Fine Gael’s Frank Feighan and Liam Twomey have declared they will not stand for election.

Mr Neville said he had been “honoured and privileged” to represent the people of Co Limerick over many years.

“I would like to sincerely thank An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, former leaders during my time, my party colleagues and the Fine Gael members in West Limerick for giving me the opportunity to represent the party at a national level.

“I particularly want to extend my thanks to the people of Co Limerick for selecting me to represent them.”