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Damien English Becomes 17th Fine Gael TD To Drop Out Of General Election Race

Thursday, 19 September 2024 06:42

He's served as a member of the Dáil for 22 years.

Damien English has announced he will not be contesting the next General Election.

The Meath West Deputy is the 17th Fine Gael TD elected in 2020 to make the decision.

Deputy English has retained his seat in the Dáil for 22 years, and was a member of Meath County Council for three years before that.

He resigned as a Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment last year over revelations from The Ditch that he failed to declare details of a 2008 planning application relating to a property in Meath. 

Mr. English also recently served as Fine Gael's Director of Elections in the Local Elections.

In a statement to Midlands 103, he says he's reflected a lot since the Local Elections, and has come to the conclusion it's time to make way for a "new wave of talent" in Meath West.

He informed members of the party last night he won't be standing in the next General Election, and has instead thrown his weight behind Linda Nelson Murray, who Fine Gael selected to contest for a seat in Mr. English's constituency.

Mr. English also said: "I want to sincerely thank everyone who voted for me since my first election in 1999. 

I am so grateful to everyone who took the time to engage with me and work with me on the issues that mattered most to them.

I would like to recognise the dedication and diligence of my wonderful teams, both constituency and ministerial, in supporting me and my constituents throughout my time as TD and Minister of State."

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