Fine Gael's TD exodus continues as Damien English says he won't run in election
Gael To Mr Seek Not Fine Run Again Confirm File To Ie Will English Expect In Boal/rollingnews Picture: Sources He Sam The Nomination
Former Fine Gael junior minister Damien English won't stand in the next election.
Speculation had been ongoing in recent weeks over Mr English and whether or not he intended to stand for re-election in Meath West at the upcoming general election.
This speculation had intensified today ahead of tonight's Meath West selection convention, as sources in Fine Gael expected Mr English to confirm he would not seek the nomination to run again.
The selection convention is beginning at 8pm in Trim.
Mr English has been a TD since 2002, having first been elected to the Dáil at the age of 24.
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He was made a junior minister in 2014, taking on a position at the Department of Enterprise, before moving on to the Department of Housing between 2016 and 2020.
In 2020, Mr English was made a junior minister at the Department of Enterprise.
However, he resigned from that position after it was reported that he had failed to properly declare a property interest in a planning application for a new house.
Mr English's departure makes him the 17th Fine Gael TD to depart from politics since the 2020 general election.