It is unusual for a TD to announce his retirement from politics after a single term in the Dáil. But that is what Jim Glennon, a Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin North, has done.
Such a step normally marks a deep sense of frustration and disillusionment with those structures through which backbenchers are expected to influence party policy or government decisions. It may also reflect a sober assessment of future political prospects.
Mr Glennon has said his decision was taken for purely personal, family reasons. The timing was suitable for the Taoiseach, he offered, because had he done so earlier, people might have linked it to Mr Ahern's own personal difficulties. As for the future, he will take up employment options after the election which will allow him to spend more time with his family.
He will be a loss to the Dáil. A former rugby international and businessman who is not afraid to speak his mind, Mr Glennon represented a new broom from the constituency that was dominated for many years by the corrupt and disgraced minister Ray Burke. In fact, he is just the kind of politician that Mr Ahern has maintained Fianna Fáil and Irish politics urgently needs to refresh its tarnished image.
Last February, he was bitterly disappointed when Mary Wallace was appointed to the ministerial vacancy created by the forced resignation of Ivor Callely. Subsequently, as public support for Fianna Fáil and the Government waned, he was a prime mover in calling for the establishment of a new backbench-controlled policy committee which would influence election strategy and government policy. Progressive Democrats ministers were criticised at the time and Fianna Fáil ministers were said to be out of touch with the public.
A total of 16 backbench TDs supported the initiative. But Mr Ahern regarded the development as a direct threat to his authority and the rumblings of revolt were suppressed. The ringleaders were out of favour. And no effort was made to defuse mid-summer speculation that minister of state Síle de Valera will be replaced by Seán Haughey later this year.
Politics is a cruel business. Promotion can depend on geographic location and party advantage as much as on personal ability. The elevation of Mr Glennon would not have gained Fianna Fáil an extra seat. His pending resignation, however, threatens to cost them one in this sprawling constituency. Other disillusioned backbenchers are said to be considering a similar course of action. But this seems unlikely, in spite of their obvious frustration.