Official Retiring TDs Thread (Speculation Allowed!)

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On foot of Dermot Ahern's decision this morning, I'm starting a thread dedicated to TDs that won't be contesting the next election. Already we have a number of TDs that have announced they're retiring and I have a feeling we'll have many more in the coming weeks.

Confirmed so far:

Seymour Crawford (FG)
Rory O'Hanlon (FF)
Jim O'Keefe (FG)
PJ Sheehan (FG)
Mary Upton (Lab)
Paul Connaughton (FG)
Ulick Burke (FG)
Michael D. Higgins (Lab)
Jackie Healy-Rae (Ind)
Olwyn Enright (FG)
Dermot Ahern (FF)
Arthur Morgan (SF)
Liz McManus (Lab)
Tom Kitt (FF)*

Already resigned:

George Lee (FG)
Martin Cullen (FF)
Jim McDaid (FF)

TDs yet to have decided if they will stand or not (and have speculation around their position):

Mary Harney (Ind)
Mary O'Rourke (FF)
Bertie Ahern (FF)
Michael Woods (FF)

TDs that may not contest the next election on health grounds:

Brian Lenihan (FF)
Sean Ardagh (FF)
Michael Fitzpatrick (FF)

There's going to be a large amount of new TDs in the 31st Dail. It was even suggested that Brian Cowen may not stand for re-election if he resigns as FF leader.

Is there any other gossip/speculation regarding other TDs that might step down?

* Despite his official stance, FF is hoping that they can convince Tom Kitt, to change his mind.

What's the asterix beside Tom Kitt's name for?

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Papa Smut wrote: »

What's the asterix beside Tom Kitt's name for?

I'm unsure about his position tbh. Did he say he will stand for election if Cowen resigns as leader? Perhaps I should move him to the uncertain column.

Edit: His official position is that he is standing down, but there's rumours that he may reverse that decision.

Yitzhak Rabin

I hope given the amount of people who are retiring that the parties take this opportunity to bring in fresh blood, and not just give nominations to councillors in waiting, and political dynasties who are tainted by the gombeenitis of the last few decades.

Floppybits

I thought both Harney and B Ahern said that would not be competing in the next election. I am sure Harney said this at the last election and B Ahern said it when he resigned?

steelcityblues

None of them apart from Michael D and Morgan are any great loss to the electorate.

No doubt many more to follow!

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Floppybits wrote: »

I thought both Harney and B Ahern said that would not be competing in the next election. I am sure Harney said this at the last election and B Ahern said it when he resigned?

Harney hasn't made any comments on the issue of standing down. It's widely thought that she will not stand, but she hasn't confirmed what she's going to do yet.

Bertie, too, hasn't cleared up his intentions. If Bertie doesn't stand, FF may not pick up any seats in Dublin Central. Nevertheless, if he retires he gets all the pensions, so one would think he's going to call it a day, despite pressure from the FF organisation.

Brussels Sprout

yekahs wrote: »

I hope given the amount of people who are retiring that the parties take this opportunity to bring in fresh blood, and not just give nominations to councillors in waiting, and political dynasties who are tainted by the gombeenitis of the last few decades.

Also it'd be nice to see some people who aren't teachers getting a chance to run. Perhaps then we might one day have a finance minister who is an economist, a minister for science who is an actual scientist and a minister for transport who's an engineer.

Sir Oxman

Mr Property himself, Frank Fahey FF is a maybe too.

Lapin

OP you can add the name of Noel Tracy (FF Galway East) to the last section of that list.
He was on Galway Bay FM the other day and suggested that he might not run for health reasons.

If he decides not to contest the election, he will be the third deputy to do so in the 4 seat Galway East constituency.

Yitzhak Rabin

Noel Dempsey didn't seem too convincing when Matt Cooper asked him if he'd be standing. He said he 'hadn't thought about it', and that he wasn't prepared to say if he'd be standing or not.

Shea O'Meara

yekahs wrote: »

I hope given the amount of people who are retiring that the parties take this opportunity to bring in fresh blood, and not just give nominations to councillors in waiting, and political dynasties who are tainted by the gombeenitis of the last few decades.

It's unlikely I'm afraid...

Mary Upton (Lab), has the nephew moving up the ranks set for a shoe in.
Mary O'Rourke (FF), Brian Lenihan (FF)...there's always a Lenihan in the wings. Jackie Healy-Rae (Ind), the sprog...
Bertie Ahern (FF), I can't see it, why would he? Handy money.
Sean Ardagh (FF), another with the family (wife, son) in the game.

It is an opportunity, I do hope the number and the talk of a general shake up of our system proves me wrong.

later12

Brussels Sprout wrote: »

Perhaps then we might one day have a finance minister who is an economist, a minister for science who is an actual scientist and a minister for transport who's an engineer.

Why do you think that would be so beneficial? Sometimes it's more beneficial to allocate Ministerial portfolios to those without a direct interest in the profession they have just left, or may soon be returning to. This is the great fallacy about having a Doctor (for example James O'Reilly, who was a negotiator for the consultants pay deal) as Minister for Health.

In fact, what is far more important is that the candidate would have strong managerial skills, preferably prior business experience, and a quick, intelligent mind. These are not characteristics that the Irish electorate tend to solicit in the course of an election campaign.

I would have thought that really Mary Harney, Mary O Rourke and Bertie Ahern are certainties not to run by now, even if they haven't expressly said so themselves.

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later10 wrote: »

I would have thought that really Mary Harney, Mary O Rourke and Bertie Ahern are certainties not to run by now, even if they haven't expressly said so themselves.

O'Rourke has been vague about her intentions. She was asked about this recently and she said she was thinking about it.

I wouldn't be surprised if she runs again, given her almost daily media appearances. She has a huge ego.

I do hope she packs it in - I personally can't stand her. She's completely false.

Brussels Sprout

later10 wrote: »

Why do you think that would be so beneficial? Sometimes it's more beneficial to allocate Ministerial portfolios to those without a direct interest in the profession they have just left, or may soon be returning to. This is the great fallacy about having a Doctor (for example James O'Reilly, who was a negotiator for the consultants pay deal) as Minister for Health.

In fact, what is far more important is that the candidate would have strong managerial skills, preferably prior business experience, and a quick, intelligent mind. These are not characteristics that the Irish electorate tend to solicit in the course of an election campaign.

That is a fair point about vested interests and this being Ireland that could well be a problem. However I'd prefer to see someone with a strong knowledge of an area being in charge rather than some randomer being given a role as a political favour(whilst paying lip service to impartiality).

Mary Coughlan is really the classic example of this for me. She was I believe a social worker for a short period before being handed her father's seat and she was woefully incompetent in her recent role in enterprise.

And yes along with knowledge in the area, management skills would be an excellent skill to possess. Most of the current cabinet have neither.

later12

hotmail.com wrote: »

O'Rourke has been vague about her intentions. She was asked about this recently and she said she was thinking about it.

I wouldn't be surprised if she runs again, given her almost daily media appearances. She has a huge ego.

I do hope she packs it in - I personally can't stand her. She's completely false.

Apparently you're right, O'Rourke has today confirmed she is interested in pursuing re-election in the new year, subject to discussion with her family (presumably this means she wants to get a feel for the constituency mood, and whether her last election campaign is likely to succeed or not).

http://m.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1201/breaking43.htm?via=latest

The 73-year-old former minister also revealed that she was interested in standing again in the coming general election but would talk it over with her family at Christmas.

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later10 wrote: »

Apparently you're right, O'Rourke has today confirmed she is interested in pursuing re-election in the new year, subject to discussion with her family (presumably this means she wants to get a feel for the constituency mood, and whether her last election campaign is likely to succeed or not).

http://m.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1201/breaking43.htm?via=latest

She'd do your head in. She's basically trying to suss out if she'll get re-elected or not, as you say.

cazzak79

hopefully brian lenihan due to his health
and maybe michael martin due to family reasons

imme

cazzak79 wrote: »

hopefully brian lenihan due to his health
and maybe michael martin due to family reasons

not a very nice post imo.

i´m guessing Michael (friend of the North Korea Ambassador) Woods on age grounds and Joe Walsh for having been dropped from cabinet.

Kristopherus

hotmail.com wrote: »

O'Rourke has been vague about her intentions. She was asked about this recently and she said she was thinking about it.

I wouldn't be surprised if she runs again, given her almost daily media appearances. She has a huge ego.

I do hope she packs it in - I personally can't stand her. She's completely false.

Have to agree with you there. I really think she loves the sound of her own voice. Typical marm:rolleyes:Frank Fahey would be no loss either. Absolute waste of space:mad:

cazzak79

my post was meant to be nice.
lenihan needs to spend time with his family due to health reasons.
i lost couple cousins in last few years that had young children its tough.

as for michael martin he is going through really sad time with the loss of his child im sure he'd would like to spend more time with his wife and other children

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cazzak79 wrote: »

my post was meant to be nice.
lenihan needs to spend time with his family due to health reasons.
i lost couple cousins in last few years that had young children its tough.

as for michael martin he is going through really sad time with the loss of his child im sure he'd would like to spend more time with his wife and other children

Let's not get into the detail if you don't mind. It's not really relevant for this thread.

Michael Martin has no intentions of stepping down and I don't see why the sad loss of his child should change that.

donkey balls

Martin Manseragh has just confirmed on the VB show that he will run in the next election.

mikemac

yekahs wrote: »

Noel Dempsey didn't seem too convincing when Matt Cooper asked him if he'd be standing. He said he 'hadn't thought about it', and that he wasn't prepared to say if he'd be standing or not.

Heard the interview, I suppose he didn't want to make a commitment on live radio which is fair enough.

I'd be pretty certain he'll run again

ISAW

Shea O'Meara wrote: »

It's unlikely I'm afraid...

Mary Upton (Lab), has the nephew moving up the ranks set for a shoe in.

Yeah Liz ( womens issues and equality) Mc Manus ironically ois also keeping the seat warm for her son. Ironically she may be regretting she didn't have a daughter.

I don't know but I don't think recent by election runner Shea Brennan or his sister ( a sitting councillor) will be running for the da's ( Seamus Brennan RIP) seat that George Lee got and then dumped before he might be faced with having to run again for a 100k a year job as opposed to having over 150k a year for life without challenge from RTE. Funny how he said he would give it nione moinths and then made the decision before his no going back to old job six month leave of absence from RTE was up isn't it?

If I was FG in the new government I'd reduce all the top RTE earners down to a TDs salary or less. I'm sure George Lee and old Trotskists like Joe Duffy wont mind making tow and a half times the industrial wage instead over ten times as he now makes.

Sir Oxman

ISAW wrote: »

Yeah Liz ( womens issues and equality) Mc Manus ironically ois also keeping the seat warm for her son. Ironically she may be regretting she didn't have a daughter.

I don't know but I don't think recent by election runner Shea Brennan or his sister ( a sitting councillor) will be running for the da's ( Seamus Brennan RIP) seat that George Lee got and then dumped before he might be faced with having to run again for a 100k a year job as opposed to having over 150k a year for life without challenge from RTE. Funny how he said he would give it nione moinths and then made the decision before his no going back to old job six month leave of absence from RTE was up isn't it?

If I was FG in the new government I'd reduce all the top RTE earners down to a TDs salary or less. I'm sure George Lee and old Trotskists like Joe Duffy wont mind making tow and a half times the industrial wage instead over ten times as he now makes.

Nope, she tried alright but her son was rejected

http://www.wicklownews.net/index.php/2010/11/tds-son-defeated-at-labours-election-convention/

The Volt

Lenihan's confirmed he will run in next election.

feicim

It looks like if enough retire and enough "new blood" comes in the sheeple of ireland will vote for them again (when they stick a "new" or suchlike in front of Fianna Fail, and get a fancy new logo). The noises of approval coming from this thread about this worries but doesn't surprise me.

A few new candidates and a new logo will be enough for them to convince the people of Ireland (whose average iq is 93 by the way:eek:) to vote for them again. Hopefully I'll be long emigrated by the next election (after next years one that is).:mad:

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Voltwad wrote: »

Lenihan's confirmed he will run in next election.

Source?

The Volt

6.01 news today.

donkey balls

Voltwad wrote: »

Lenihan's confirmed he will run in next election.

Which lenny is it Brian or Conor?.

The Volt

The incompetent one :pac:


(It's Brian)

donkey balls

Voltwad wrote: »

The incompetent one :pac:


(It's Brian)

Should that not include the moron of a brother as well;)

Darsad

The Lenihans and thier Aunt now need to be resigned to the history books as the lot of them are quite simply Mad ! Comical Lenny is a very apt name for them especially Brian I am always right .I think the more incompetent of the two Conor scraped in at the last election so I would imagine he will struggle to get his deposit back at the next election should he run

ISAW

gambiaman wrote: »

Nope, she tried alright but her son was rejected

http://www.wicklownews.net/index.php/2010/11/tds-son-defeated-at-labours-election-convention/

i stand corrected. Thanks for the info. Anyway she is a retiring TD.

mikemac

Darsad wrote: »

.I think the more incompetent of the two Conor scraped in at the last election so I would imagine he will struggle to get his deposit back at the next election should he run

Conor Lenihan topped the polls last time, overall and in 1st preference votes
He didn't scrape in
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin_South_West_(Dáil_Éireann_constituency)

And you don't lose a deposit, that system was changed in the last few years

There is no longer a requirement to pay a deposit to be nominated for membership of the Dáil. However, candidates must either produce a Certificate of Party Affiliation or a document containing 30 signatures of registered voters.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/elections_and_referenda/national_elections/nomination_for_membership_of_dail_eireann.html

Realy, where are you getting your information?

PomBear

Padraig McCormark, FG party chairman isn't running

Sponge Bob

Ah now Pom, that was ME! speculating over in the Galway forum

PomBear

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Ah now Pom, that was ME! speculating over in the Galway forum

Sorry, all credit goes to Sponge Bob :P

Sponge Bob

Good Pom, Nice Pom.

johngalway

PomBear wrote: »

Padraig McCormark, FG party chairman isn't running

By about a billion.

Sponge Bob

This article is bylined John Cunningham , Galways answer to Sam Smyth.

http://www.galwaynews.ie/16438-mccormack-%E2%80%98won%E2%80%99t-consider%E2%80%99-being-added-fg-ticket

Asked ( SUNDAY) if he would consider the possibility of being added to the ticket under powers held by Party Leader Enda Kenny, Deputy McCormack said he did not wish to discuss the question.


He reiterated yesterday (MONDAY) that it was something he was not prepared to consider. He had allowed his name to go before delegates and that was their decision.

So that's it. Mind you he might consider a rerun of the convention itself seeing as 200 delegates (at least a third if not half of them) never made it in the cack weather.

johngalway

Sponge Bob wrote: »

This article is bylined John Cunningham , Galways answer to Sam Smyth.

http://www.galwaynews.ie/16438-mccormack-%E2%80%98won%E2%80%99t-consider%E2%80%99-being-added-fg-ticket



So that's it. Mind you he might consider a rerun of the convention itself seeing as 200 delegates (at least a third if not half of them) never made it in the cack weather.

Methinks a certain family in Clifden would go bananas if that were to happen, as they are not in favour of McCormack. Though I know which I prefer and it's not them that're local to me!

Sponge Bob

johngalway wrote: »

Methinks a certain family in Clifden would go bananas if that were to happen, as they are not in favour of McCormack. Though I know which I prefer and it's not them that're local to me!

How very gnomic of you John :cool:

I'd be surprised if they made it in on the night though as it involved a 50 mile jaunt across sheet ice and back again. One of them might even fancy herself as a 'natural' single sweeper now that I think of it

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Sean Ardagh and Tom Kitt confirmed today they will not be contesting the next election. Big trouble for FF in Dublin South Central and Dublin South.

johngalway

Sponge Bob wrote: »

fancy herself

Hammer, nail, head :pac:

imme

hotmail.com wrote: »

Sean Ardagh and Tom Kitt confirmed today they will not be contesting the next election. Big trouble for FF in Dublin South Central and Dublin South.

-Taoiseach Brian Cowen has paid tribute to both men.

Ardagh seems to have been the kind of public servant that is needed, a talented, astute politician.

His constituency colleague Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael said:

“It has been a privilege to have known Sean, his wife Máire and his family during my time on Dublin City Council and in the Dáil. Sean has been a gentle giant in politics. His good nature and his honesty have shown him to be a role model to all of us. I wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Dublin South will be one of the most interesting of the Dublin constituencies in the GE. FF has no sitting TD contesting the next GE. FG has to win three of the five seats to be the lead party in the next govt.

Prediction: 3 FG, 1 Lab, 1 FF.

-I think Noel O'Flynn, FF, Cork NC might leave politics at the next election. Lately he has said he might. I can't think of anything memorable that O'Flynn has got involved in in national politics, other than internal affairs of FF, throwing his weight about a couple with Ahern and now Cowen.

If this is so, Cork NC will be another interesting battleground, with SF looking to make a Cork breakout. The constituency was reduced to four seats since 2007 they could be in with a chance.

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FF Carlow-Kilkenny TD, M.J. Nolan has announced that he won't be contesting the next election.

FF have 3 seats in this 5 seater and this announcement probably means that FF will only run two candidates.

Brussels Sprout

imme wrote: »

-I think Noel O'Flynn, FF, Cork NC might leave politics at the next election. Lately he has said he might. I can't think of anything memorable that O'Flynn has got involved in in national politics, other than internal affairs of FF, throwing his weight about a couple with Ahern and now Cowen.
.

If he does then it's due to the fact that he know's he'll lose his seat. There's only 1 seat for FF in CNC and Billy Kelleher will likely get it. O' Flynn is a rabble rouser who panders to the lowest common denominator and will be no loss to the Dail.

Boom__Boom

I wouldnt be surprised if there are a fair few of the bigger name TDs don't announce this over Christmas/the new Year period when everyone is on holidays. Maybe Bertie and Harney ???

fresca

MJ Nolan (FF) also not running.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/another-ff-td-retires-485571.html

Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow-Kilkenny MJ Nolan has announced he's quitting politics.

He's announced he won't contest the next general election, as he believes after 37 years as a public representative, the right time for him to step down is after his 60th birthday next month.

He says it's been a great honour to serve the people of Carlow-Kilkenny and he's thankful for the support

Do we have a definitive list of new vacancies?