Leo Varadkar confirms he will not stand in next election
And Constituency Varadkar 2007 2004 Since Elected Represented Dublin West Councillor Leo In The A Has Was
Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar will not run in the next election, he has confirmed.
He told a meeting of the Fine Gael Dublin West Constituency Organisation this evening, that he was making his decision now to allow the party time to hold a convention to replace him in mid September.
He has represented the Dublin West constituency since 2007 and was elected a councillor in 2004.
Mr Varadkar joins a list of Fine Gael TDs who are not contesting the next election, including former Tánaiste Simon Coveney and former ministers Josepha Madigan, Richard Bruton, Charlie Flanagan, Michael Creed and Joe McHugh.
He told party members tonight: “I have decided that I will not be seeking a nomination to contest the next General Election. I am doing so now as I want to give potential nominees sufficient time to prepare for the Selection Convention in September. I was also very keen to make this announcement in person and to thank all of you who have supported me and canvassed for me since I first ran for election back in 1999.
“I have been an elected representative for more than 20 years and have been elected on five occasions, first to represent the Castleknock/Blanchardstown area on Fingal County Council and subsequently to represent Dublin West in Dáil Éireann in four consecutive elections.
"It has been the privilege of my life and I am so grateful to have had the chance to serve my community and my country as a councillor and a TD."
The former Taoiseach who stepped down in March said that the time had come to "explore new options". However, he said that he was confident that the party could hold his seat and win the general election.
“I have decided that the time has come for me to explore new options and opportunities. I have never seen myself as a career politician and I am keen to see how I can make my contribution to society in other ways. I shall, of course, complete my term in Dáil and will continue to be a full time TD until it is dissolved. I am making this decision at a time when the Fine Gael party is in good shape."
"We have a new leader, a fresh ministerial team, professional and capable staff in headquarters and the Oireachtas. The party is well-funded, well organised and has had a successful Local and European Elections. We are also in good shape here is Dublin West."