Fine Gael TD for Louth and East Meath Fergus O'Dowd has said he will not be contesting the next general election.
In a statement, Deputy O'Dowd said it had been "an honour and privilege" to represent the people of Louth for fifty years as an elected representative.
He was a councillor and three-time Mayor of Drogheda, and served as a senator from 1997 to 2002, before being elected to the Dáil in 2002.
He was subsequently re-elected in 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2020.
During his time in the Dáil, Mr O'Dowd served as a minister of state on two occasions, and is currently chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
He was also chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport.
Mr O'Dowd's announcement follows Fine Gael's Joe McHugh, Brendan Griffin, John Paul Phelan, Richard Bruton, David Stanton, Michael Creed and Charlie Flanagan confirming they will not run in the general election.
Former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald and her fellow MEP Deirdre Clune have also said they will not contest the European elections next year.
The local and European Parliament elections will take place next June, while there is no date yet for the next general election, with the current coalition government to run until April 2025.
The Taoiseach has paid tribute to Mr O'Dowd, saying he had remained true to the mission for "social progress and social justice."
Leo Varadkar said Mr O’Dowd would be keenly missed as he had been been, in particular, "a powerful advocate for the rights of older people."
Additional reporting PA
