'There's a toxicity in politics now': Another Fine Gael TD to step down at next election
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Fine Gael’s Ciarán Cannon has announced he will be leaving politics at the next general election citing a “coarseness and toxicity” that has entered politics.
The Galway East TD said he has spoken to the Taoiseach after Christmas and a number of times since before making his final decision to exit politics.
“After 20 years in any role, I think you begin to reach a point where you've given all you can give. I have a deep respect for the people who elected me again and again, and I'm either all in on their behalf, or I'm not,” he said.
“I sought election to make an impact, to do something of genuine value for society. That's the inspiration for the vast majority of us in public life, and I'm confident that I can continue to have an impact in another role, with renewed purpose and passion. I've spent the last few weeks reflecting on my future.”
He said: “It would be remiss of me not to comment on the difference between being a politician now and 20 years ago. That's also been a factor in my decision to leave. There's a coarseness, a toxicity in politics now that was barely palpable twenty years ago. None of us asks to be put on a pedestal, or to be treated any differently. We just ask to be treated with the same civility and respect as anyone else doing their job.
“Yes, politicians are subject to public scrutiny, and rightly so, but what we are experiencing right now goes far beyond that and can be deeply damaging to our wellbeing.
Mr Cannon was first elected to Dáil Eireann in 2011 and said the memories of that time are still vivid in his mind.
“Our country was on its knees and there was a deep sense of having lost control of our future. Everyone in Government at the time rolled up their sleeves to do the hard yards and while those years were challenging, there was also a great sense of collegiality and common purpose.
“Thirteen years later, any objective observer would argue that Ireland is a very different country."
Mr Cannon, who served as a TD and senator was appointed by Enda Kenny as a Minister of State at the Department of Education & Skills, and later appointed to the Department of Foreign Affairs by Leo Varadkar where he had responsibility for the Diaspora and International Development.
He was appointed a UNICEF global champion for education in 2019.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “Ciarán is a gentleman who will be missed by all who know him or who work with him in the Dáil. I wish him the very best in his life after politics.
“I particularly want to thank Ciarán for the role he played in helping Ireland to secure election to the UN Security Council.”
Mr Cannon joins a swathe of Fine Gael TDs deciding to opt out of the next election. Brendan Griffin, Michael Creed, David Stanton and Joe McHugh are some of the names who have said they will step away from politics after the next general election.